Legazpi city: In response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s call for a full government response to assist families affected by the eruption of Mayon Volcano, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has ordered a moratorium on housing amortization payments in Region 5 (Bicol).
According to Philippines News Agency, DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling directed the Pag-IBIG Fund, Social Housing Finance Corporation, and the National Housing Authority to implement the moratorium as part of the national government's effort to assist the affected families. This move aligns with the ongoing payment moratorium by the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation for its member-beneficiaries due to a declared state of energy emergency.
'Alinsunod sa direktiba ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. na ihatid ang lahat ng tulong sa ating mga kababayang apektado ng eruption, magpapatupad po ang ating mga key shelter agencies (KSAs) ng moratorium sa monthly amortization para sa kanilang housing loans (In accordance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to deliver all assistance to our countrymen affected by the eruption, our key shelter agencies will implement a moratorium on monthly amortization for their housing loans),' Aliling stated as quoted in a news release.
'Ito po ang ambag ng DHSUD at KSAs sa whole-of-government response na iniutos ng Pangulo, upang hindi na muna aalalahanin ng mga apektadong residente ang pambayad sa kanilang amortization (This is the contribution of DHSUD and KSAs to the whole-of-government response ordered by the President, so that affected residents will no longer have to worry about paying their amortization),' he added.
The KSAs are expected to release specific guidelines regarding the moratorium, including its coverage, duration, and other pertinent details.
On Sunday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered a comprehensive government response to assist communities affected by ashfall from the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano in Albay province. Malaca±ang emphasized the need for immediate mobilization of key agencies to protect public health, ensure safety, and maintain access to essential services in affected areas, particularly in the municipalities of Guinobatan and Camalig.
In addition to the moratorium, Aliling instructed the DHSUD Regional Office 5 to coordinate closely with other government agencies, especially the Office of the Civil Defense, to ensure timely housing assistance to the affected Bicolanos.
'Nakahanda po ang DHSUD na makipagtulungan sa iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno upang mas maximize po natin ang assistance sa ating mga kababayan, at mapabilis ang paghatid nito sa mga higit na nangangailangan (DHSUD is ready to collaborate with other government agencies so that we can maximize assistance to our countrymen, and expedite its delivery to those most in need),' the DHSUD chief added.
At least 52 villages in various towns in Albay have been heavily affected by thick ashfall from Mayon Volcano.
