The Iloilo City Local Housing Office has taken back the lots of at least 93 beneficiaries of a housing program for alleged violation of the terms of the program.

The 93 beneficiaries are spread across 34 relocation sits in the city.

One of the beneficiaries is 83-year-old Lola Isabel who was awarded a lot at the relocation site in Barangay Lanit, Jaro on September 13, 2013.

She was given a certificate of lot award and acknowledgement receipt from the then Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office.

But a series of inspections and validations by the city’s local housing office found that Lola Isabel has reportedly not been living in her house for five years.

Atty. Peter Millare, head of the housing office, said inspectors found that the house does not have electricity, has mud inside, and is overgrown.

“Yan ay malaking violation sa housing program under section 14 of RA 7279. Malalaman mo na abandoned kasi walang electricity, hindi inuuwian. Makita sa bahay na inhabitable. May mga grass at putik sa loob,” Millare said.

Lola Isabel has reportedly admitted staying with her child during the Covid-19 pandemic but she would reportedly still visit her house at the relocation site.

In August 2025, Lola Isabel’s house was demolished.

“Pag-demolish nila, umiyak talaga ako. Hindi ako makatulog. Kinuha pa nila ang aking breaker, ang bubong ko dinala nila. Kumalat ang mga gamit ko,” she said.

Other beneficiaries are also fighting to retain the grant.

They argued that while it is true that the lot they occupy was donated by a private company to the city government, the Memorandum of Agreement reportedly stipulates that priority should be given to the 334 residents displaced during the development of the old airport in Mandurriao.

One of them is Noel Bangeles who reportedly acquired a special power of attorney so that his relatives can watch over his lot.

“Nag-field si Atty. Millare, nagpadala siya ng reversion na walang basehan. May due process ba? Ang punto dyan, wala umanong bahay. Meron naman ibang lote na may bakod na walang bahay,” he argued.

But the housing office denies such condition is stated in the MOA. It said the beneficiaries were issued notices several times.

“We do several inspections plus tinanong natin ang neighbors. Tinanong natin ang homeowners association. Tapos nagtanong tayo sa barangay,” Millare said.