108 boarding houses in Iloilo City ordered closed; 1,405 operate sans permit

Boarding houses ordered closed by the Iloilo City Boarding House Commission reached 108 from January 2025 to October 2025.

Of a total of 3,320 boarding houses under inspection, at least 1,405 were found to be operating without permits.

Most of the boarding houses operating sans permit are in Jaro District with 363, Mandurriao with 264, and Lapaz with 220.

“Karamihan wala talagang permits. Permit sa zoning, sa fire, sa OBO [Office of the Building Official], building permits. Sinasabi namin na requirements ang mga ‘yan, kinakailangan. Ano ang gagawin namin? Punta kayo sa barangay kapitan, hingi kayo ng certification na ipasara niyo ‘yan,” said Rammy Guintibano, chairman of the Iloilo City Boarding House Commission.

The commission has issued Notices of Violation to operators of at least 1,066 boarding houses. At least 598 filed an appeal.

“Kung hindi sila makakuha, ipapa-close namin talaga. Syempre inspeksyunin namin at kung hindi kayo maka-comply, final notice, ibigay sa BPLD [Business Permits and Licensing Division]  at kami ang nagre-recommend na ipa-close,” Guintibano added.

Claire Latade operates a boarding house legitimately since 1991. Since she ensures she si compliant with the law, she finds it unfair that several owners operate without permits.

“Nagnenegosyo ka, kailangan sundin mo ang lahat na requirements at ang batas. [Magkano ang ibinabayad mo mag-process?] Mga 15 (thousand),” Latade said.

Ian Jay Lorque Magnetico, a first-year Marine Engineering student, also makes sure that he lives in a boarding house with complete permits.

“Para sa seguridad ko rin na kung anuman ang mangyari, panatag ako sa sarili ko,” Magnetico said. — GMA Regional TV