By Brian Campued
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has implemented a series of financial relief programs, including a three-month moratorium on housing loan payments.
In a news release Wednesday, DHSUD Sec. Jose Ramon Aliling underscored the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for a whole-of-government approach to cushion Filipinos from the impact of rising fuel costs due to the Middle East crisis.
“Sa gitna ng energy crisis na nararanasan natin, mahalaga po na mabigyan natin ng kahit kaunting ginhawa ang ating mga kababayan—sa kanilang mga bayarin sa pabahay,” Aliling said.
Under the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) moratorium program, all eligible borrowers nationwide will be automatically covered from May 1 to July 31, 2026—benefitting approximately 50,000 member-beneficiaries.
According to NHMFC Central Servicing and Regional Accounts Servicing Department manager Noe Valencia, the suspension of monthly amortization payments ensures that borrowers will not incur penalties or additional interest, with loan terms extended corresponding to the duration of the moratorium
Meanwhile, Pag-IBIG Fund approved a special benefits package for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) repatriated due to the Middle East conflict.
Under the program, OFW members may withdraw up to 100% of their Pag-IBIG Regular Savings (including employee/employer shares and dividends earned) before the 20-year maturity; withdraw up to 100% of their Modified Pag-IBIG II (MP2) Savings before the five-year maturity; and avail of an interest- and penalty-free three-month moratorium on housing loan payments, which may extended by another three months.
As of February 2026, Pag-IBIG Fund has nearly 900,000 registered OFW members in the Middle East.
Aliling reiterated DHSUD’s commitment to implementing programs aimed at mitigating the impact of global economic pressures.
“Sa panahon ng krisis, ang pabahay ay hindi lamang tungkol sa tahanan kundi sa seguridad at dignidad ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino. Patuloy pong aagapay ang DHSUD upang tumulong, lalo sa mga kababayan nating higit na nangangailangan,” he said.
Relief for housing sector
DHSUD likewise granted developers a maximum 36-month deferment period to comply with balanced housing requirements following the request of the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) and the Organization of Socialized Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP) regarding compliance modes and timeframes for the Balanced Housing Development Program (BHDP).
“Patunay po ito na sa ilalim ng Bagong Pilipinas ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., may gobyernong nakikinig at nagmamalasakit para sa kapakanan ng lahat,” Aliling said.
“Positibong resulta din ito sa open door policy natin sa DHSUD kung saan bukas po tayo sa dialogo para sa lahat ng stakeholders.”
Under the 36-month deferment, developers may choose between incentivized compliance or direct participation in socialized housing projects as prescribed by law.
The Housing czar said the extension is vital for partner-developers as they continue to contribute to the administration’s push for decent and affordable housing under the administration’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.
“Laging bukas ang aming pintuan para gabayan natin ang lahat ng housing stakeholders–upang ayusin ang mga patakaran para sa kapakinabangan ng mas nakararaming Pilipino na patuloy na nagangarap ng sariling tahanan lalo sa panahon ng krisis,” Aliling said.
-jpv
