The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Thursday ordered its key shelter agencies (KSAs) to implement a moratorium on housing amortization for members in areas affected by recent typhoons and an earthquake, in compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to extend all assistance to victims of recent disasters.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling issued the order as part of the administration’s whole-of-government efforts to provide assistance to victims of typhoons “Nando” and “Opong” in Bicol and the destructive earthquake in Cebu province.
Aliling asked Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive Marilene Acosta, National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. president Renato Tobias, National Housing Authority general manager Joeben Tai and Social Housing Finance Corp. president Federico Laxa to immediately declare a moratorium on amortization.
As the head of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Aliling also serves as the chairman of the four main housing agencies.
“It will be a significant help to our countrymen who were struck by the typhoon and earthquake if they don’t have to worry about paying their monthly amortization during this time,” he said.
“The President’s order is to extend all possible assistance to the victims, and that is what we will do,” said Aliling.
The DHSUD chief also instructed Regional Offices V and VII to immediately conduct a ground assessment to determine the full extent of the damages to shelters caused by the typhoons and earthquake.
Aliling urged close coordination between DHSUD, other government agencies and the private sector to ensure that appropriate housing assistance is provided as quickly as possible.
