In response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for a full government response to assist families affected by the eruption of Mayon Volcano, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) ordered the imposition of moratorium on housing amortization payment in Region 5.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling on Monday directed the Pag-IBIG Fund, the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), and the National Housing Authority (NHA) to implement the moratorium as part of the national government’s effort to assist the affected families.
Meanwhile, another DHSUD attached agency, the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) has an ongoing payment moratorium for its member-beneficiaries in connection to the declaration of state of energy emergency.
Secretary Aliling said, “Alinsunod sa direktiba ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. na ihatid ang lahat ng tulong sa ating mga kababayang apektado ng eruption, magpapatupad po ang ating mga key shelter agencies (KSAs) ng moratorium sa monthly amortization para sa kanilang housing loans.”
He added, “Ito po ang ambag ng DHSUD at KSAs sa whole-of-government response na iniutos ng Pangulo, upang hindi na muna aalalahanin ng mga apektadong residente ang pambayad sa kanilang amortization.”
The KSAs are expected to issue specific guidelines regarding the moratorium, its coverage and period of imposition and other details.
On Sunday, May 3, the Chief Executive ordered a full government response to assist communities affected by ashfall from the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano in Albay province.
Malacañang said the directive covers immediate mobilization of key agencies to protect public health, ensure safety, and maintain access to essential services in affected areas, particularly in the municipalities of Guinobatan and Camalig.
Apart from the moratorium, Secretary Aliling also directed the DHSUD Regional Office 5 to closely coordinate with other government agencies, particularly with the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) to ensure timely housing assistance to the affected Bicolanos.
The Housing czar added, “Nakahanda po ang DHSUD na makipagtulungan sa iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno upang mas maximize po natin ang assistance sa ating mga kababayan, at mapabilis ang paghatid nito sa mga higit na nangangailangan.” (PR)
