The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Friday ordered its key shelter agencies (KSAs) to implement a nationwide moratorium on housing amortization.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said this directive is aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s declaration of a “state of national calamity.”

Aliling directed the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, National Housing Authority (NHA), Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) to impose the moratorium immediately.

“Alinsunod sa deklarasyon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., hinikayat natin ang ating mga attached agencies na magpatupad ng pansamantalang moratorium sa housing amortization ng ating mga member-beneficiaries sa buong bansa,” Secretary Aliling said.

(“In accordance with President Marcos Jr.’s declaration, we encouraged our attached agencies to implement a temporary moratorium on housing amortization for our member-beneficiaries nationwide.”)

“Malaking bagay na maibsan natin ang alalahanin ng ating mga kababayan ngayong panahon ng sakuna. Ito ay agarang ambag ng DHSUD sa panawagan ng Pangulo upang ipaabot ang tulong ng gobyerno sa mga nasalanta ng kalamidad,” he added.

(“It is a big help to ease the concerns of our countrymen during this time of calamity. This is DHSUD’s immediate contribution to the President’s call to extend government aid to those affected by the disaster.”)

On Thursday, the President declared a “state of national calamity” following the havoc wrought by Typhoon Tino in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, and in anticipation of the threat posed by the incoming weather disturbance.

Apart from the moratorium, DHSUD has also provided safe refuge to typhoon-affected families in Cebu using the modular housing units (MHUs) at the Bayanihan Village in San Remigio town.

Prior to the onslaught of Tino, DHSUD activated all its regional shelter clusters to ensure readiness and close coordination with other agencies.

“Tuluy-tuloy po ang ating pakikipag-ugnayan sa ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan upang mas efficient ang ating pagre-responde. Mahalaga na lagi tayong proactive at handang tumulong,” the DHSUD chief said.

(“We continue to coordinate with other government agencies to make our response more efficient. It is important to always be proactive and ready to help.”)