Bigger and better benefits for new members

“Be a Pag-IBIG member and secure a bright future for yourself. Your savings with the Fund earn double and even triple. These savings are guaranteed by the government and earn tax-free dividends. More importantly, as a member you have access to benefits no banks can give such as the lowest interest housing loans, fast salary loans and reliable calamity loans. ”

This was the statement of Jaime A. Fabiaña, chief executive officer of the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, in his meeting with representatives of Filipino communities in Hong Kong Sunday.

Fabiana met with Hong Kong-based Filipinos to inform them that with the passage of Republic Act No. 9679 (also known as the Home Development Mutual Fund Law of 2009), signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on 21 July 2009, “Pag-IBIG is now opening its doors to all types of Filipino workers, both from the formal and informal sectors, in the country or overseas”.

Under the universal membership coverage which takes effect beginning January this year, the following are mandatorily covered by the Fund: all employees who are compulsorily covered by the SSS; all employees who are subject to mandatory coverage by the GSIS; uniformed members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and the Philippine National Police, Overseas Filipino Workers, and Filipinos employed by foreign-based employers, whether deployed in the country or abroad.

Membership of OFWs used to be voluntary under the old Pag-IBIG Overseas Program, with terms of  five, 10, 15, and 20 years.

BENEFITS

With the mandatory coverage, OFWs can enjoy the various benefits of being a member which include:

Savings. Members’ contributions are credited to their savings or the total accumulated value that earn dividends and fully guaranteed by the national government.  In 2009, 

Pag-IBIG declared tax-free dividends amounting to P8.5 billion with a dividend rate of 5%.

“At this dividend rate, an OFW member will generate savings amounting to P40,753 if he contributes P100 monthly for 20 years; P81,507 if he contributes P200; and P203,768 at P500 a month.  The bigger the contribution, the bigger the savings,” Fabiana explained. 

He assured that Pag-IBIG savings are portable, meaning, “these remain in the name of a member even if he transfers employers, works abroad or becomes self-employed or even unemployed”.  

Short Term Loans.  OFW-members can also avail of short-term loans that will help address their immediate financial needs such as payment for tuition fees, hospital bills, appliance purchases, minor home repairs, and even for small business capital.

Housing Loan. A member of good standing is eligible to avail of a home financing loan that has an interest rate of as low as 6% to 11.5% payable in 30 years. The maximum loan amount is P3 million. The loan can be used for the purchase of a fully developed lot within a residential area not exceeding 1,000 sq.m., purchase of a residential house and lot, townhouse or condominium unit, construction or completion of a residential unit on a lot owned by the member, home improvement and refinancing of an existing loan.

Fabiana said that in 2009, Pag-IBIG extended a total of P9.6 billion in housing loans to their OFW members which financed 12,233 housing units. “No other financial institution, government or private, has extended this much for OFWs’ housing,” he stressed.

He attributed the 68% increase in housing loan availment of OFWs in 2009 to the housing reforms initiated by Pag-IBIG’s Board Chairman Vice President Noli “Kabayan” De Castro, primarily the low interest rates and long repayment period, which makes it the most affordable home lending program in the country today.

To register for membership and for other inquiries, OFWs can call  724.4244 or visit the Pag-IBIG office located at the 6F, Justine Building, Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City (beside Land Bank).  They can also register through the Pag-IBIG satellite offices at the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) or coordinate with the Pag-IBIG information officers who conduct the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar for OFWs. (end)

     SAN PABLO CITY – City Schools Division Superintendent Enric T. Sanchez reiterated over the weekend a standing order of the Department of Education that the holding of graduation exercises must be simple and less expensive to unload the parent’s financial burden.

     Dr. Sanchez reminded all public school heads and teachers not to collect any graduation fees or any kind of contribution for graduation rites.

     “What we are trying to ensure is the quality education that we can give to the pupils or students,”  Sanchez re-echoing DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus’ memorandum issued last school year.

     It maybe recalled that the government has long been imposing austerity measure and the education sector is not spared of the policy, hence asking contributions is being strictly monitored.

     Sanchez also reminded the education stakeholders, members and officers of the PTCA that they can solicit contributions but should on voluntary basis and teachers should not be involved in soliciting contributions.

     Secretary Lapus in his memorandum pointed out that the schools should not require extravagant special attire or extra ordinary venue for the ceremonies, while a yearbook contribution should also be on voluntary basis.

     Lapus’ order also stated that graduation rites should be conducted solemnly befitting the graduating students and their parents. The celebration should not in any way be used as venue for political forum, however, local officials are not barred from attending the graduation rites.

     Lapus also gave credit to the LGU’s active support to all DepEd programs and thrusts. He said local officials are their close partners in building classrooms and in providing furniture, books, additional teachers, trainings and other expenses. (Ruben E. Taningco)

Sa resulta ng Population Census na isinagawa noong Agosto 1, 2007, napag-alamang ang Lunsod ng San Pablo na binubuo ng 80 barangay ay may kabuuang populasyon na umaabot sa 237,259.  Ang 122,210 nito ay rehistradong botante na nahahati sa 894 presInto kaugnay ng halalan noong Mayo ng 2007..

     Gabay sa mga kandidatong naghahanda ng kanilang campaign plan, ang barangay na may pinakamalaking bilang ng populasyon ay Del Remedio na pinamamatnugutan ni Punong Barangay Napoleon Calatraba na may kabuuang 13,475, pangalawa ang San Francisco na pinangungunahan ni Punong Barangay Dandi C. Medina na may kabuuang 13,283; pangatlo ang Santo Angel na pinangangasiwaan ni Punong Barangay Fernando T. Diokno na may kabuuang 8,447; pang-apat ang Santa Monica ni pinamamahalaan ni Punong Barangay Daniel M. Asejo na pinananahanan ng 7,183 katao, at panglima ang San Gabriel na ginagabayan ni Punong Barangay Ruben A. Belulia  na ang residente ay may bilang na 7,121. Ang  pinakamaliit na barangay ay ang Barangay VII-D na pinangangasiwaan ni Punong Barangay Fernando A. See na binubuo lamang ng 86 katao.

     Batay sa kalalagayan noong Agosto 1, 2007, ang opisyal na bilang ng populasyon ng Bayan ng Alaminos  ay 40,380, na ang barangay na may pinakamalaking bilang ng naninirahan ay San Benito na binubuo ng 4,876; na sinundan ng San Agustin na may 4,482 na naninirahan. Pangatlo ang Santa Rosa na binubuo ng 3,813. Sa kabuuan, ang Barangay Del Carmen ang may pinakamaliit na bilang ng naninirahan na umaabot lamang sa 1,013.

     Sa pambansang senaryo, iniulat ng National Statistics Office (NS0)  na nalathala sa website (www.census.gov.ph) ng pamahalaan, ang kabuuang bilang ng populasyon ng Pilipinas ay 88,574,614, na ang  2,473,530 ay naninirahan sa Lalawigan ng Laguna.

     Sa Lalawigan ng Laguna, ang mga lunsod at bayang may pinakamalaking bilang ng naninirahan ay ang (1) Calamba City, 360,281; (2) San Pedro, 281,898; (3) Santa Rosa City, 266,943; (4) Biñan, 262,735,; at (5) San Pablo City, 237,259.

     Ang may pinakamaliit na bilang ng populasyon ay ang Famy na bagama’t nahahati sa 20 barangay, ay may kabuuan lamang na 13,557 katao ang residente. (Ruben E.  Taningco)