DHSUD implements housing loan amortization in areas affected by 'habagat'
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling (File photo: DHSUD)
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has ordered a moratorium on housing loan amortizations for qualified beneficiaries in areas affected by widespread flooding and other adverse effects of the weather disturbances in the past days.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said the moratorium will cover qualified member-beneficiaries of the National Housing Authority (NHA), Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC).
But he said the move is subject to the respective policies and guidelines of key shelter agencies.
“Each of the key shelter agencies will soon be coming out with their respective guidelines on the coverage of the moratorium and steps on how members can avail of it,” said Aliling.
Earlier, President Marcos ordered all government agencies to ensure that assistance reaches all residents affected by the heavy rains, particularly those in far-flung communities.
The moratorium on housing loan amortizations, according to Aliling, is in compliance with Marcos’ order, adding that DHSUD Regional Offices in affected areas were tasked to remain in close coordination with local government units and other agencies to determine the housing needs of affected families.
“The Regional Offices were also instructed to give particular attention to communities in danger zones,” said Aliling.
Based on the latest data of the Office of Ciivl Defense, more than 646,000 families composed of over 2.2 million people in 10 regions were affected by the series of weather disturbances that hit the country in the past days.
More than 26,000 families have been staying in evacuation centers while a total of 684 houses were either partially or totally damaged.