By Aaron Recuenco
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has ordered a moratorium on housing loan amortizations for qualified beneficiaries in areas affected by widespread flooding and recent weather disturbances.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said the moratorium will apply to member‑beneficiaries of the National Housing Authority (NHA), Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), subject to each agency’s policies and guidelines.
“Each of the key shelter agencies will soon release their respective guidelines on the coverage of the moratorium and the steps on how members can avail of it,” Aliling explained.
The move complies with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for government agencies to ensure assistance reaches residents affected by heavy rains, particularly those in far‑flung communities.
DHSUD regional offices have been tasked to coordinate closely with local governments to assess housing needs, especially in danger zones.
According to the Office of Civil Defense, more than 646,000 families or 2.2 million people across 10 regions were affected by the recent weather disturbances.
Over 26,000 families remain in evacuation centers, while 684 houses were reported damaged.
