DHSUD rolls out housing relief amid energy crisis

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) will implement housing payment relief measures, including a three-month moratorium on mortgage payments, in response to the ongoing energy crisis linked to tensions in the Middle East.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said the initiative follows the directive of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to adopt a whole-of-government approach to cushion Filipinos from rising fuel costs.

“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. Ito po ay bahagi ng ating whole-of-government response sa direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos Jr.,” Aliling said.

The moratorium, to be implemented through the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), will cover eligible borrowers nationwide from 1 May to 31 July 2026. Beneficiaries will be automatically included without the need to apply.

During the DHSUD Kapihan sa Radyo, NHMFC representative Noe Valencia said about 50,000 member-beneficiaries are expected to benefit from the program.

Under the relief measure, borrowers may temporarily suspend monthly amortization payments without penalties or additional interest. Loan terms will be extended accordingly based on the duration of the moratorium.

The DHSUD said the program will be complemented by support from the Pag-IBIG Fund, which has approved a special benefits package for overseas Filipino workers repatriated due to the Middle East conflict.

Qualified OFW members may withdraw up to 100 percent of their Pag-IBIG Regular Savings, including employee and employer shares and dividends, even before the 20-year maturity period. They may also withdraw up to 100 percent of their Modified Pag-IBIG II (MP2) savings, including returns, ahead of its five-year maturity.

In addition, affected members may avail of a three-month moratorium on Pag-IBIG housing loan payments without interest or penalties, with loan terms extended by the same period.

As of February 2026, Pag-IBIG has nearly 900,000 registered OFW members in the Middle East.

The DHSUD said the combined interventions form part of a broader strategy to ease the financial burden on Filipino families and support vulnerable sectors amid 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,” Aliling said.