DHSUD orders moratorium on housing amortization for ‘Kristine’ victims

Manila: The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has ordered its key shelter agencies (KSAs) to implement a moratorium on housing amortization for their members affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami). DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said the move complies with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to all government agencies to extend any available assistance to victims of Kristine. Acuzar issued the order to the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, the National Housing Authority, Social Housing Finance Corp., and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. on Friday, according to a news release on Saturday. He said declaring a moratorium would provide relief to typhoon victims who have outstanding amortization with the KSAs. "Ito po ay maliit na bagay kumpara sa sakripisyo at kawalan ng ating mga kababayang naging biktima ng bagyo. Sa pamamagitan nito, kahit papaano ay maiibsan ang kanilang mga pangamba (This is just a small thing compared to the sacrifices and deprivation experienced by the typhoon victims. Through this moratorium, we somehow allay their fears)," Acuzar said. "Nais ng ating mahal na Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr. na ibigay ang lahat ng pwedeng itulong, kaya yan po ang ating gagawin dito sa (President Marcos wants to give every available assistance, so, that's what we will do here at the) DHSUD.' He said they are also working closely with typhoon-affected local government units (LGUs) for the speedy processing of families who may qualify for the department's Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP). To ensure the smooth validation of the IDSAP list from LGUs, Acuzar also ordered the activation of all the shelter clusters in the affected areas. Under IDSAP, the DHSUD provides PHP30,000 in unconditional cash assistance to those whose houses were destroyed, and PHP10,000 to those whose houses were damaged. Source: Philippines News Agency