ILOILO — Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. presented the proposed Government Center Project in Santa Barbara to DHSUD Regional Director 6 Eva Marie P. Marfil, ENP, and Housing and Homesite Regulation Officer V Allan A. Delariman on Monday morning, August 17, 2026. The meeting centered on housing solutions for informal settlers and the broader development vision for the province.
A Central Hub for Government Services
The Government Center will serve as a central location for government offices, helping reduce congestion and make services more accessible to the public. The master plan includes a convention and events facility, eco-park, training center, sports and recreation facilities, an integrated emergency response station, and a commercial area. This ambitious project aims to shift provincial administration outside the dense metropolis of Iloilo City.
Gov. Defensor and DHSUD officials discussed possible plans for the project, including how DHSUD could help provide housing for informal settlers in the area. They are looking at a housing plan similar to the Purok Resilience Housing Project in Nangka, Batad. That successful model provides localized, disaster-resilient socialized housing that keeps families close to their livelihoods.
A Model of Resilience and Community
The Purok Resilience Program, initiated under Executive Order No. 333, focuses on keeping displaced families safe from hazards while remaining near their sources of income. The Batad project, worth ₱30 million and housing 30 families, serves as the proof-of-concept for this approach. The Santa Barbara housing initiative will follow this template, ensuring that relocation benefits the community holistically.
DHSUD has committed an initial 50 socialized housing units for Phase 1 construction, pending the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement. Gov. Defensor indicated plans to negotiate with DHSUD for vertical housing solutions to accommodate additional residents. This collaboration between provincial and national agencies is crucial for addressing the housing needs of affected families.
A Vision for the Future of Iloilo
The Smart Green Government Center is planned on a 6.3-hectare provincial property in Barangays Bolong Oeste and Inangayan in Santa Barbara. The project consists of four building footprints intended to consolidate government services and other public facilities in one complex. This strategic move aims to decongest Iloilo City while spurring economic growth in the province.
Building No. 1 is being implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, with PHP 100 million allocated for the building and access road. The province will undertake the expansion through the Local Government Support Fund, with an additional allocation of PHP 250 million. This includes PHP 100 million for the expansion, PHP 115 million for the access road, and PHP 35 million for a bridge.
