Gov’t agencies offer payment relief, loans to typhoon victims

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and its key shelter agencies have implemented a payment moratorium and calamity loan assistance program for residents affected by Tropical Storm "Crising" and continued heavy rainfall caused by the southwest monsoon.

The initiative is part of a broader directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to deliver timely support to families impacted by flooding and weather-related disasters.

In a statement, the DHSUD confirmed that the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), National Housing Authority (NHA), and National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) have all implemented a one-month moratorium on amortization payments for beneficiaries residing in areas officially declared under a state of calamity.

Simultaneously, the Pag-IBIG Fund activated its Calamity Loan Program across all its branches nationwide. The program allows eligible members to borrow up to 90 percent of their total Pag-IBIG Fund savings, which includes their monthly contributions, employer counterpart payments, and accrued dividends. Housing loan borrowers with property damage may also file insurance claims.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling emphasized that the effort is a coordinated disaster response to ease the financial strain on affected communities.

“As directed by President Marcos, we are ensuring that impacted families receive prompt support to help them recover and rebuild,” Aliling said.

He noted that the moratorium would provide temporary financial relief, while the calamity loan would assist families in accessing immediate funds for urgent needs.

Aliling also said DHSUD is actively coordinating with local government units (LGUs) to fast-track assistance under the Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP), which provides additional support to disaster-hit households.

“LGUs are crucial partners in identifying affected areas and endorsing eligible beneficiaries,” he added.

According to DHSUD, agencies such as Pag-IBIG, SHFC, NHA, and NHMFC are now notifying borrowers and streamlining application processes to ensure a smooth rollout of the moratorium and loan program.

The move comes as thousands of families in Luzon and parts of the Visayas continue to recover from widespread flooding and infrastructure damage brought about by Tropical Storm "Crising."