In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s declaration of a “state of national calamity,” the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has ordered key shelter agencies to implement a moratorium on housing amortizations in Visayas provinces.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling directed the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund), the National Housing Authority, the Social Housing Finance Corporation, and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation to immediately impose a moratorium in areas devastated by typhoon “Tino.”

“It is a great relief that we can ease the worries of our fellow citizens during this time of calamity. This is the DHSUD’s immediate contribution to the President’s call to deliver government assistance to those affected by the disaster,” Aliling said.

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

Temporary shelters provided

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

Prior to Tino’s onslaught, the DHSUD activated its regional shelter clusters to ensure readiness and establish close collaboration with other agencies.

“We continue to coordinate with other government agencies to make our response more efficient. It is important that we remain proactive and ready to extend assistance at all times,” the DHSUD chief said.

More than 1,600 participants, composed primarily of housing beneficiaries and neighboring communities, recently attended the National Housing Authority’s People’s Caravan held at the Guardians Hill AFP/PNP Housing Project in General Santos City.

An initiative of NHA general manager Joeben A. Tai, the People’s Caravan: “Serbisyong Dala ay Pag-Asa” aims to provide essential goods and services from both the public and private sectors closer to its resettlement sites, ensuring access to government programs and leading to sustainable living.