After years of fleeing danger with every storm, vulnerable families in Barangay Nangka, Batad, Iloilo, are no longer waiting for the next evacuation—they are finally settling into homes built to withstand it.

The Iloilo Provincial Government turned over 30 permanent, disaster-resilient housing units to residents of Purok 3, marking a decisive shift from temporary relief to long-term protection for communities living in high-risk zones.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. led the handover, framing the project as a response to a recurring cycle of displacement caused by landslide threats linked to a hazardous mountain crack in the area.

Instead of repeatedly mobilizing evacuations, the province invested in a permanent solution—relocating families to safer ground.

“We know who these residents are that we evacuate every typhoon. It is better to provide them with permanent shelter,” Defensor said.

For beneficiaries like Josefina Brillantes, the shift is life-changing. After years of uncertainty, her family now has a home where safety is no longer temporary. “I am very happy with this new home given to us,” she said.

The housing project, part of the province’s Purok Resilience Program (PRP), is a P36-million initiative designed to relocate families from danger-prone areas.

Built on a 5,000-square-meter lot donated by the Batad local government, the site has been developed into what officials describe as a “Resilience Village.”

Each 36-square-meter unit is fully livable, equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, and expandable space for future improvements such as a loft or second floor.

Beyond housing, the community integrates sustainability features, including rainwater harvesting systems, solar-powered streetlights, underground power lines, and a dedicated water system.

Crucially, the relocation site was selected to remain close to residents’ sources of livelihood—addressing a common gap in resettlement programs where economic displacement often follows physical relocation.

Recognized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government for Excellence in Disaster Preparedness, the program is set to expand to other municipalities, including Oton, Concepcion, and Pototan.

With the project now in place, Iloilo is redefining disaster response—not as a cycle of evacuation, but as a commitment to resilience—ensuring that for families once at risk, safety is no longer a temporary refuge, but a permanent address.IMT/ Photo from Balita Halin sa Kapitolyo FB page