The National Housing Authority (NHA), with the city government here, will build four five-story low-rise buildings worth PHP200 million for qualified informal settler families (ISF) affected by various infrastructure projects.

A ground-breaking for the “Uswag Residential Complex” project that will stand on a portion of the three-hectare lot owned by the city government in Brgy. San Isidro in Jaro district was held Thursday.

Senator Franklin Drilon, who facilitated the inclusion of the fund in the General Appropriations Act (GAA), said the project expected to be completed in a year from now is not just for the improvement of the city but more on providing better houses to the IFS.

“I am happy that among the vast projects that I will be able to launch in my political career is a housing project for the people of Iloilo,” he said in his message during the event.

Each of the four buildings will have 60 dwelling units with a floor area of 24 square meters each for a total of 240 units that will cost close to PHP180 million.

The remaining PHP20 million will be used for land development comprising survey works, earthworks, road works and parking, drainage works and outfall, sewer lines, water distribution system, power distribution system, street lights, and community facilities.

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, in his message, said Drilon has pushed for the housing project since there are residents who were affected by his other development projects in the city.

Among others, the city mayor mentioned the Sunset Boulevard and the Bolilao Esplanade.

“These four low-rise buildings will be able to provide 240 units. Here in the city we can proud to say that with the partnership of Senator Drilon, Congresswoman Jam Jam (Julienne Baronda of Iloilo City Lone District) and the city government, the relocation site that we give are condominium units,” he said.

The groundbreaking was also attended by NHA regional manager Rizalino Cabahug, Baronda, and Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office chair Rony Firmeza. (PNA)