By Mikee Natinga Norico
Silid.ph: Simplifying the rental search for Filipinos!
A group of young innovators from Central Philippine University (CPU) is gaining traction in the local tech scene with their new platform, Silid.ph. Founded by Jerome Cabugwason, a 22-year-old BS Computer Science student, Silid.ph aims to revolutionize the traditional rental housing market in the Philippines by offering a mobile-first platform that provides a faster and more personalized search experience for tenants.
Cabugwason, along with his co-founders Ferjen Dave Torred (BS Software Engineering, 3rd year), Ian Clyde Tejada (BS Software Engineering, 2nd year), and Chad Denard Andrada (BS Software Engineering, 2nd year), were inspired by their own struggles in finding suitable boarding houses near their university. The team is joined by engineers Precious Kaira Saluria and Jeremy Jobert Peñafiel (BS Information Systems, UP Visayas Miagao) and Jon Wayne Cabusbusan and Robert Lloyd Baban (BS Software Engineering, CPU).
The team identified a gap in the market, where searching for rentals often involved tedious online browsing or time-consuming physical exploration. Silid.ph promises to bridge this gap by offering a user-friendly platform with a variety of features designed to streamline the rental search process. Here’s a glimpse into what Silid.ph has to offer:
Matching Algorithm: Silid.ph goes beyond just listing rentals. The platform plans to incorporate a matching algorithm that considers a tenant’s character and preferences, ensuring they find a space aligned with their needs and lifestyle.
Detailed Filters: Users can filter their searches based on various criteria, including sex inclusivity, amenities, house rules, and capacity. This allows tenants to quickly find listings that meet their specific requirements.
Prioritizing User Safety: Silid.ph understands the importance of safety for renters. The platform plans to implement a verification process to ensure the legitimacy of listed boarding houses and protect users from fraudulent activity.
Housemate Matching System: Finding compatible roommates can be a challenge. Silid.ph’s unique housemate matching system aims to connect tenants with potential roommates based on their preferences, promoting a more harmonious living environment.
Future Features: The Silid.ph team is constantly innovating. They plan to integrate community-driven features, voucher programs for renters, and additional functionalities based on user feedback.
A Web-Based Approach for Accessibility: While many might expect a mobile application, Silid.ph has opted for a web-based platform to ensure accessibility. This decision allows them to cater to a wider range of users with different device preferences and provides a faster development experience.
Silid.ph is still under development, but the future looks bright. The team is targeting a launch of their minimum viable product (MVP) in the fourth quarter of 2024, with a full launch planned for the second quarter of 2025 to coincide with the academic calendar.
“We are planning to launch our MVP (minimum viable product) in Q4 of 2024 and to have a full launch in Q2 of 2025 to compensate for the school year adjustment,” Cabugwason said.
Silid.ph has the potential to revolutionize the rental housing market in the Philippines by providing a more efficient, secure, and personalized experience for both tenants and property owners. As the platform continues to develop, it will be interesting to see how it impacts the way Filipinos search for and find their ideal living spaces.
You may visit silid.jeromecabugwason.com to subscribe to the waiting list and be among the first to know when it launches.
For inquiries, you can contact Silid.ph through the following channels:
- Email: splitscalesystems@gmail.com
- Telegram: https://t.me/kasutudotdev