DHSUD orders moratorium on housing payments for STS Kristine victims

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has ordered its key shelter agencies, including the Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC), to implement a moratorium on housing amortizations for members affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

SHFC President Federico Laxa said that this measure aims to ease financial burdens while residents recover from the storm's impact and has announced a one-month moratorium on payments.

Beneficiaries can still make monthly payments through various online channels if they choose to do so, according to SHFC.

The DHSUD is also working closely with typhoon-affected local government units (LGUs) for the speedy processing of families who may qualify under the Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP).

Under IDSAP, PHP30,000 in unconditional cash assistance is provided to those whose houses were destroyed and PHP10,000 to those whose houses were damaged.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar emphasized that this moratorium provides relief to those who have outstanding amortization with key shelter agencies and the department will activate all shelter clusters in affected areas for smooth validation of IDSAP beneficiaries.