ILOILO CITY — The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD)-6 said at least 500,000 housing units are needed in Western Visayas region to address the needs of informal settlers and others who do not own homes.
REGIONAL Director Eva Maria Marfil (center) of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD)-6 speaks at the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-6 in Iloilo City. (Tara Yap)
DHSUD-6 Regional Director Eva Marie Marfil said the current backlog in the region is around 495,268 housing units, 346,810 for informal settlers and 148,458 homeless, non-homeowners, the displaced, and extended family members with families living under one roof.
Speaking at this week’s Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-6, Marfil said the data was based from the 10-year local shelter plans of the local government units (LGUs).
By area, the province of Negros Occidental has the highest backlog with 164,799 housing units.
Second was Iloilo province with 136,628 housing units; Antique, 52,178; Bacolod City, 35,787; Capiz, 33,975; Aklan, 33,975; Iloilo City, 29,948; and Guimaras, 6,633.