By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In recognition of the plight of those affected by Tropical Storm Crising (international name: Wipha), and the southwest monsoon (habagat) brought about by Tropical Storm Dante (international name: Francisco) and Typhoon Emong (international name: Co-May), the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and its attached agencies have launched measures to ease the burden of the calamity victims.
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), the National Housing Authority (NHA), and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) have implemented a one-month moratorium on amortization payments for their beneficiaries in areas affected by the typhoon.
At the same time, Pag-IBIG Fund has activated its Calamity Loan Program in all of its branches nationwide to serve typhoon victims. This also includes insurance claims for current Pag-IBIG housing loan borrowers whose properties were damaged.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said in a media release Thursday that this unified effort is in adherence to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to concerned government agencies to extend immediate assistance to those affected by the prolonged bad weather.
“As directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we are ensuring that affected families receive urgent support to help them recover,” Secretary Aliling said.
“Ang moratorium ay magsisilbing bawas alalahanin samantalang ang calamity loan naman ay magbibigay ginhawa kahit papaano sa ating mga kababayang nabiktima ng kalamidad,” he added, expressing optimism that these measures will help calamity victims to recover and get back on their feet.
The Housing czar likewise noted that the agency is closely working with affected local government units (LGUs) to facilitate the dissemination of assistance to qualified beneficiaries under the Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP). (with report from Denisse Osorio/PTV News)
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