The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has ordered a three-month moratorium on housing loan payments for qualified borrowers of the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHMFC), as the government moves to blunt the impact of surging fuel costs tied to tensions in the Middle East.
Housing Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said the payment freeze will run from May 1 to July 31, 2026, and will be applied automatically to eligible members nationwide. Borrowers will not need to file applications to avail of the relief, streamlining access at a time of heightened financial strain.
The directive follows a call from Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for a coordinated, whole-of-government response to rising living costs. Officials said the housing measure complements broader interventions aimed at stabilizing household budgets as global energy prices remain volatile.
Under the program, beneficiaries may temporarily suspend monthly amortization payments without penalties or additional interest.
The deferred amounts will instead be absorbed through a three-month extension of loan terms, ensuring that borrowers’ long-term obligations remain intact while providing short-term relief.
DHSUD estimates that about 50,000 NHMFC member-beneficiaries will benefit from the moratorium, offering what officials describe as “breathing space” for families grappling with higher transport and utility expenses.
The agency emphasized that the measure balances immediate consumer relief with the sustainability of housing finance programs. By cushioning borrowers without restructuring core loan terms, DHSUD aims to preserve the financial health of state-backed housing initiatives while responding swiftly to external economic shocks.
