Manila: The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has implemented a series of financial relief programs, including a three-month moratorium on housing loan payments, to cushion Filipino families from the impact of the ongoing energy emergency amid the Middle East conflict.
According to Philippines News Agency, DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling announced that these initiatives are part of a "whole-of-government" approach, following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to mitigate the effects of rising fuel costs and global economic pressures. Aliling emphasized the department's continued commitment to spearheading programs that alleviate the crisis's impact on Filipinos.
Under the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) moratorium program, eligible borrowers nationwide will automatically benefit from a three-month suspension of housing loan payments, covering May 1 to July 31, 2026. Noe Valencia, NHMFC Central Servicing and Regional Accounts Servicing Department manager, mentioned that around 50,000 member-beneficiaries are expected to benefit from this relief measure, which ensures no penalties or additional interest, with loan terms extended for the moratorium duration.
In addition to the payment holiday, the Pag-IBIG Fund has approved a special benefits package for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) repatriated due to the Middle East conflict. As of February 2026, nearly 900,000 OFW members are registered with the Pag-IBIG Fund in the Middle East. The new package allows qualified repatriated members to withdraw up to 100 percent of their Pag-IBIG Regular Savings and Modified Pag-IBIG II (MP2) Savings before their respective maturities, alongside an interest- and penalty-free three-month moratorium on housing loan payments.
The DHSUD stressed that these interventions from the NHMFC and Pag-IBIG Fund aim to safeguard the economic security of vulnerable sectors, particularly displaced workers and low-income families. Aliling highlighted that housing represents the security and dignity of every Filipino family during challenging times and reaffirmed the agency's commitment to assisting those most in need.
