Manila: In compliance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to extend all assistance to victims of recent disasters, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Thursday ordered its key shelter agencies to implement a moratorium on housing amortization for members in areas affected by recent typhoons and a 6.9 magnitude earthquake.
According to Philippines News Agency, DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling issued the order as part of the administration’s whole-of-government efforts to provide much-needed assistance to victims of typhoons ‘Nando’ and ‘Opong’ in the Bicol region and the destructive earthquake in Cebu province. Aliling specifically asked Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene Acosta, National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation President Renato Tobias, National Housing Authority General Manager Joeben Tai, and Social Housing Finance Corporation President Federico Laxa to immediately declare a moratorium on amortization.
‘Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., hinihiling ko sa ating mga KSAs na magpatupad ng suspension ng amortization sa lahat ng mga apektado ng kalamidad sa Cebu at Masbate (In accordance with the directive of President Marcos Jr., I request our KSAs to implement a suspension of amortization for all disaster-affected people in Cebu and Masbate),’ said Aliling, who was with the President in Masbate on Wednesday to deliver government assistance. As DHSUD chief, Aliling concurrently serves as chairman of the board of the four housing agencies.
‘Malaking bagay sa ating mga kababayan na nasalanta ng bagyo at lindol ang hindi na muna aalalahanin ang pagbayad ng buwanang amortization sa panahong ito. Ang utos ng Pangulo ay ipaabot ang lahat ng pwedeng itulong sa mga biktima, at yan po ang ating gagawin (It is a big help for our countrymen who were devastated by the typhoons and earthquake to not have to worry about paying monthly amortization during this time. The President’s order is to provide all possible assistance to the victims, and that is what we will do),’ he added.
At the same time, the DHSUD chief directed Regional Offices 5 (Bicol) and 7 (Central Visayas) to immediately conduct a ground assessment of the extent of damage to shelters caused by the typhoons and earthquake. Aliling also directed DHSUD’s close coordination with other government agencies and the private sector to ensure appropriate housing assistance will be provided as soon as possible.
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck in Cebu on Tuesday night, killing more than 70 people and injuring hundreds. The tremor affected more than 47,000 families, some of whom were left homeless. Last week, Super Typhoon Nando and Severe Tropical Storm Opong wreaked havoc in the Bicol Region, particularly in Masbate, leaving thousands of shelters either destroyed or damaged.