Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Pag-IBIG Membership now required before you can get an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)

From Philippine Embassy Singapore:

The Pag-IBIG Fund announced that effective 1 July 2010, the Philippine Overseas Employment  Agency (POEA), under the 18 June 2010 Collection Servicing Agreement signed between the Fund and the POEA, has started collecting Pag-IBIG Fund membership contributions  from departing OFWs.

Under Republic Act 9679, Pag-IBIG membership is now a requirement for the issuance of the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC). Beginning July 18, 2010 the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO- Singapore) will  collect Pag-IBIG membership dues prior to the issuance of the OEC. This arrangement will provide more OFWs greater access to the huge benefits available only to members.  These benefits include the provident savings, multi—purpose, calamity and housing loans.

In Singapore, an initial contribution of S$5.50 is required for membership. All qualified members can avail of a housing loan of up to P3 million with a maximum loan term of 30 years.

In Singapore, the Pag-IBIG post is located at Classified Resources Pte.Ltd. 304 Orchard Road #02-45, Lucky Plaza, Singapore 238863 or at the Philippine Embassy, 20 Nassim Road.

There are also Pag-IBIG accredited collecting banks/agents and remittance companies in Lucky Plaza that can accept membership and monthly payments.  In the Philippines, they may register directly at the Pag-IBIG office located at the 6/F, Justine Bldg., Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City. Members may likewise register through any Pag-IBIG office in the Philippines or at its satellite offices located at the POEA and NAIA.

The Pag-IBIG Fund in coordination with the Embassy of the Philippines recently conducted a Housing Fair in Singapore. Jaime A. Fabiaña, chief executive officer of the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund),  said  today that the Housing Fair dubbed  “Sa Pag-IBIG ko, Ginhawa Mo!” held at the Suntec Convention Center last June 27 was a “resounding success.”

The fair, attended by an estimated 2,000 OFWs, had 30 real estate developers who brought to Singapore their inventory of available housing packages in the Philippines. It also provided  an opportunity for Filipinos working in Singapore to choose their dream house from the huge inventories of these packages that would match their budget and their needs.

The housing fair likewise served as a venue for Pag-IBIG to build awareness among OFWS regarding the Fund’s universal membership coverage under its new charter.  Republic Act 9679, or the HDMF Law of 2009, made Pag-IBIG membership mandatory for all formally employed Filipinos, including OFWs.

According to Fabiana, the housing fair provided “an excellent platform for Pag-IBIG to generate new members, and for participating developers to reach potential buyers. Pag-IBIG has some of the most affordable housing loans in the Philippines today, and it makes sense to reinforce its membership campaign among OFWs by highlighting this huge benefit available only to members,” he said.

Pag-IBIG personnel were on hand during the  fair to accept membership applications and assist in the on-line registration of new members, as well as verify the total savings and amortization status of existing members.

Former Vice President and Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Noli “Kabayan” De Castro  was the guest of honor.  Entertainment numbers  were provided by Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 scholars Laarni Lozada and Bugoy Drilon.

 

Nathalie A. Fajardo
Cultural Assistant
Philippine Embassy
20 Nassim Road
Singapore 258395
T: +65 6737 - 3977 ext. 101
F: +65 6733 - 9544

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