TACLOBAN CITY – The regional office of the Home Development Mutual Fund is intensifying its campaign among Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from the region for them to avail of financial and housing loans from the agency.
This after only 33 had so far availed of the program, dubbed as PAG-IBIG Overseas Program, since it was launched six years ago.
Flordelis Menzon, regional branch manager, said that as part of their effort to increase the number of OFWs who would avail of the program, “we intend to intensify our campaign about the program.”
“This program is exclusively for our Overseas Filipino Workers who have been working, sacrificing and battling loneliness abroad for the future of their respective families but have yet to own their own homes. This is where the PAG-IBIG comes in,” Menzon told Leyte Samar daily Express.
The PAG-IBIG regional branch manager noted that while many of the OFWs are constantly sending their earnings from abroad, the bulk of their income ares pent for immediate concerns like foods and education.
“Some of them are not really giving much thought of having or owning a house of their own. But of course, we understand and respect their decision to give education to their children,” Menzon said.
But it would be better, she added, if the OFWs would have their own house, put up by them out of their earning in working abroad.
Thus, with only 33 Overseas Filipino Workers who have so far availed of the program, PAG-IBIG-8 would intensify further its campaign to entice other OFWs from the region to avail of the program launched about six years ago.
According to Menzon, she already issued an order for the marketing division of the agency to conduct an intensified campaign to promote the program saying that it is one of the priority programs of PAG-IBIG.
The regional office of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has listed more than 2,000 OFWs in the region.
The number, however, is considered not to be accurate as several OFWs form the region processed their papers either in Cebu or Manila. Some of them have chosen to reside outside of the region.
The 33 OFWs who have so far availed of the program had secured housing loan ranging from P 300,000 up to P1.7 million.
Under the program, one can secure loan as high as P2 million. The needed requirements are certification from the POEA and being a member of PAG-IBIG Overseas Program, they are also aiming to increase the current number of members of the agency.
At present, the PAG-IBIG has more than 103,000 active members. Menzon said that the number could still increase considering that several private companies and even workers have yet to join as members of the agency.
She reiterated that being a member of the PAG-IBIG could be a big assistance to the members as the agency offers several types of financial loans which even include retirement and mortuary benefits.
“We should think for our future and one of which is to become a member of PAG-IBIG,” Menzon said.
