The city government of La Carlota turned over 96 brand-new homes to landless beneficiaries under the Land for the Landless Program at Luis Jalandoni Village in Barangay Ayungon Feb. 4.
The newly-established community, dubbed Jackyville, is a groundbreaking housing initiative designed to provide permanent, and titled homes to its recipients.
“This is not just about building houses; it’s about rebuilding lives,” Mayor Rex Jalando-on said in a statement, as he emphasized the collective effort behind the project.
The initiative was made possible through a strong partnership between and among the city government, provincial government of Negros Occidental, Habitat for Humanity, Base Bahay Foundation, and Hilti Foundation.
The beneficiaries themselves played a crucial role, contributing 300 hours of sweat equity, a testament to their determination to build a better future, the city said.
Built using cement-bamboo frame technology, these homes are engineered for resilience—capable of withstanding typhoons, earthquakes, fire, and even insect infestations. More than just shelter, they symbolize stability, dignity, and a fresh start for families who have lived in uncertainty for years, it added.
The first four houses were handed over on Nov. 20, 2023, with beneficiaries carefully chosen among those evicted through court orders, displaced by government projects, or residing in disaster-prone areas.
While 96 families now have a place to call their own, the city said 130 more houses are set to rise, with Jalando-on vowing to see the project through to completion.
Immediate plans include the construction of a community center and the installation of solar-powered streetlights, further reinforcing the city’s commitment to sustainable, inclusive development.
The ceremony was attended by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Habitat-Philippines’ Arianne Aliggayu and Joy Jarabelo, Habitat-Asia Pacific’s Enid Madarcos, Habitat NOI25 Project’s Lilibeth Centino, and Base Bahay’s Luis Lopez and Maricen Jalandoni.
The beneficiaries thanked the city and all those who assisted in ensuring the successful completion of the housing initiative. ||
