We are always delighted to receive letters from OFW Pag-IBIG Members.
A couple of days ago, we received a letter from a Pag-IBIG Member who is an Overseas Filipino Worker based in Indonesia. The subject line of the email says, “OFW Loaning.” As you can see, he was planning to apply for a Housing Loan with Pag-IBIG Fund. Why not? That’s one of the benefits afforded to every Pag-IBIG Member and you should avail that one too.
If you are an OFW, please read carefully the entire content of this article as you may gather some bits of important information that is particularly applicable to your situation.
Here’s what the letter says in part:
“I am working here in Jakarta for 3 years now making my contribution for Pag-ibig stagnant for 3 years as well. I have three questions: Is it still okay to continue Pag-ibig rather than opt for POP which is specialized for OFWs? If yes, can I pay every 6 or 12 months since I go home once to twice a year to the Philippines anyway? Apart from not giving my contributions for 3 years, can I still presently use my existing contributions which I had with my former employer to loan for housing to date?”
In the succeeding paragraphs, we try to dissect some parts of the letter to address the questions that he raised. We present here our original reply, which was really just a very short and quick. In addition, we also elaborated more on the issue for the benefit of the other website visitors, most especially the Overseas Filipinos.
Question #1 : Is it still okay to continue Pag-ibig rather than opt for POP which is specialized for OFWs?
Answer to Q#1: The Pag-IBIG Overseas Program (POP) has already been stalled and replaced with the regular Pag-IBIG Membership which is sometimes referred to as Pag-IBIG I. So, if you have not been a member of POP, that’s okay. You can simply continue with your former Pag-IBIG I Membership.
More Detailed Answer: Yes it’s true that since the Pag-IBIG Law of 2009 took effect, all OFWs are already required to become members of the Pag-IBIG Fund. For those who have returned to the country and have visited the office of the POEA before going back to work again abroad experienced this already. Just to make it clear, this is Pag-IBIG I, or the regular Pag-IBIG membership.
The Pag-IBIG Overseas Program was not at all abandoned. It’s just that, Pag-IBIG is not accepting new enrolees to the program anymore. But for those who are already contributors, you can do so until that reaches its maturity period and then be ready to cash out all your contributions.
(See also: The Home Development Mutual Fund Law of 2009 )
Question #2: If yes, can I pay every 6 or 12 months since I go home once to twice a year to the Philippines anyway?
Answer to Q#2: Yes you can do that — meaning make advanced payments.
A Better Way To Do It: Have someone whom you can trust with your money pay for your contribution over the counter at the Pag-IBIG Branch of your choice on a monthly basis. Or, you may also issue a set of post dated checks.
(See also: 5 Ways To Pay The Pag-IBIG Fund.)
Question #3: Apart from not giving my contributions for 3 years, can I still presently use my existing contributions which I had with my former employer to loan for housing to date?
Answer to Q#3: Please be aware that you need to be an actively contributing member to qualify for a housing loan.
Related Answer: Your past contributions will certainly count in terms of establishing your track record with the Pag-IBIG Fund. But remember, it’s not just the contributions that will ensure your loan approval. The most important factor really is your capacity to pay.
( See also: Your Income and Your Loan Entitlement)
~~~
“Subject: OFW Loaning” is written and by Carlos Velasco as an elaborated answer to a letter sent by an OFW Member.
Can u pls help me to re-active my POP? I want to grab a housing loan i am from saudi my POP accnt is 1417-0006-4347 BRYAN P. MERCURIO
I wasnt enjoy my contribution with pag ibig how could I avail the pag ibig program?
im an ofw here in hongkong,since 2002 i start d contribution in pagibig,last year i grant my housing loan.but i have existing salary loan bcoz i resign in my past company,so now i just ask its ok f i pay my existing loan at one time???and also im i qualified for the renovation of housing loan??im also actively member of popthank u.godbless
FROM SA BINABAYADAN NAMIN SA POEA BEFORE KAMI UMALIS PUNTA ABROAD KASAMA PO BA DUN ANG SA PAG-IBIG NAMIN. ANDITO PO AKO SA QATAR NGAYON, MAY MGA AGENT PO DITO NG PAG-IBIG AT NG SSS PWEDE PO BA KAMI NA MAGBAYAD SA KANILA.
I’am owf working at taiwan and I am a POP member, i just want to inquire if i can loan cash. because the house i like to buy they need cash. before this house under pag ibig, but the owner s already fully paid. and now they want to sell. please need your help how should i do this.. thank you.. hoping your reply!
Hi, I am a Pagibig member but because I went abroad I could not able to pay my monthly contribution. I stop to pay for about 3 or 4 years but now I realise to continue it. I’m also planning to apply for a housing loan though I’m abroad but my parents are there to look after this. My questions are:
1.Dati na akong naghulog sa pag ibig might be 1 year continous payment pero nahinto ng magbusy ako dito sa abroad, now gusto kong ituloy and may plano akong mag apply ng housing loan. pwede kayang iconsider yong dati kong inihulog to make it 2 years.
2. at kung ituloy ko ang paghulog kelan kaya ako pwedeng mag apply ng loan?
3. kung ang equivalent ng sweldo ko dyan sa atin ay 95,000.00 pesos magkano kaya ang pwede kong i loan?
4. I am 43years old now pwede ko ba itong i apply for 30years mortgage term?
5. May lote na ako ang kelangan ko lang hiramin ay pampagawa ng bahay, kailangan ba na maitayo ko yong bahay bago ako makapag loan, I am a bit confuse of the deposit and how much it should be?
Thank you in advance.
@Vic:
Quick replies to your questions:
1. Yes
2. The rule says you have to be at least a member for two years. Well, you can apply but there is no guarantee of approval.
3. You may want to refer to this Table on Income vs Loan Amount.
4. You must be less than 70 years old at the time of loan maturity.
5. You have to do the initial construction of the house. That’s about 30% of your loan.
@Lizza:
A Cash Loan with Pag-IBIG is under its Multi-Purpose Loan Program. It’s not really that much. But you can use The Housing Loan to finance that house.
@Randy:
Yes
@marygin:
Yes you can pay it off at this time around. After that, you should be able to apply for a Home Improvement Loan.
@evelyn:
Well, basically your benefits are Housing Loan, Short Term Loan, and Provident Savings.
@bryan:
Please have it done at the office.
i want to become a member,,how can i apply from here,im @ oman now working as a nurse.pls send me some information on how to become a member,tnx ang regads..
Hi, my situation is nearly the same as other OFWs na gustong ituloy ang hulog and mag-loan, but how can I get my MID number and track my contributions? since before nung locally employed pa ako, regular akong naghuhulog for about 3-4yrs, nahinto lng nung nag-abroad aq nung 2008, pero last july nung bumalik aq abroad, when I applied for OEC na mandatory nga ang membership, wla nmn ibinigay na MID number sa akin, dahil nung mag-inquire sana aq via internet ung number na yun ang required.. thnx in advance
@Rodel:
Please have a representative check that one at the branch.
@lyn:
Please visit the Philippine Embassy there in your host country to inquire about the Pag-IBIG Fund membership.
Hi,gusto ko sana itanong kung kailan ako makaloan ng bahay?bago palang ako member sa pag-ibig siguro 1 year now.sa pinas kumuha ako bahay naghiram lang muna kami sa kamag-anak namin na my pag-ibig members.sa ngaun nasa panagalan nya ang bahay.pero ako ang mag bayad every monthly.gusto ko sana mailipat nayong bahay sa akin pangalan.at paano mag apply housing loan? pls.help me thanks advance..
@Janet:
You may have to apply after a year. To apply, you have to undergo similar process that your relative — who is now the “buyer” — has gone. That’s quite simple.
admin paano po kami mga ofw wala po kaming binabayarn na tax paano namin mairerepresent eh exempted kaming mga ofw at yun pong nag member ako ng pag ibig sa poea tinanong ko kung saan makukuha ang membership ID sabi sa kin doon wala ng ID ngayon number na lang mas mainam na may ID dahil importante din po yun sa amin,pwede ko po bang bayaran ng 24 mos complete sabay apply ng condominium loan?thanks,
hi po ask lng ko lng po nkpagloan po me dti s pagibig nung ngttrbho po me s pinas po dti kso ang problema ndi ko po i2 nbyrn at nhinto n din po ung paghulog me every month simula po ng mkpagabroard po me nagbblk po me kumuha ng bhy s pagibig mkkpagloan housing po b ako?
hi po,ofw po ako 4 mon.pa lang ang membership ko sa pagibig pero nag advance po ako ng 24 mon.contribution,plano ko po magloan after 2 years,,,f sakali makapagloan ako ilan buwan bago ako mag umpisa magbayad or pwd po 6 times lang ako magbayad a year?
Can you clarify the deposit or downpayment issue, per poster Vic above? If we get approved for a 3M loan, we have to come up with 30% of this amount before PagIbig releases the money? This is for a loan to be used for house construction. We already own a lot.
I want to be a member of the Pagibig fund. Is it too late to join I am 61 yrs. old and decide to have my retirement in the Philippines. How much contribution do I have to make to avail of the benefits of the Pagibig fund.
@Cynthia:
To be honest, time is really not on your side if you are after the benefits of Pag-IBIG Membership. The institution may shy away from your loan application.
@mik:
Yes you are right. Meaning, you should be prepared to have at least 30% as buffer money.
@moctar:
The payment has to be monthly and it starts once your loan has been released.
@renato:
Yes you can if you re-activate your membership.
@joey:
YOu may have to wait for a couple of months before you can apply for a home loan.
hi puh,,kng mag oopen puh b aq nxt month,,at 4months q lang po babayaran ung 2years posible po bang mkapag loan ako agad,,,
hi,
Good morning Maam/sir
I just want to ask,if i can avail an OFW loan but i have maybe only 1 yr contribution since i went outside from the country.pls reply po im waiting..kakauwi ko lng po last october 13..thank u
joy patalinghug
Thanks Admin. Can’t we use the lot as collateral?
How is the sequence then: loan approval then start construction of 30% equity then pag ibig appraisal, then release of 100% funds? At what point in the process do we get our equity back?
For sure, the loan has to be approved first before we spend the money on initial construction, right?
How come there are different info availab le for equity required. Other sites say only 10%? specifically home construction on own lot.
@Mik:
The equity is yours to shoulder. The amount of equity is different because
Pag-IBIG will not bother about that. It is only concerned of the Loan Amount that they can grant you.
@Joy:
24 months. That’s the magic number.
Pasensya na sa kakulitan, Admin…
Here’s the scenario. I have a lot thats worth 900 thousand pesos. I am planning to apply for a 2 million peso loan for house construction. My project proposal is at exactly 2 millon pesos. Pretend the appraisal is 2.9M, including the lot i assume… I basically have 900k invested on the property as i own the lot. Do i still have to put down some down payment or equity?
ask ko lng po kung paano mag member as POP
ung sister ko po kc nasa japan and shes willing..she is 42 years old…
thanks po
Good day! I would like to know if it is possible to apply our already purchased and fully paid residential lot for reimbursement?
Land Title is already on our name.
if Yes how much?
admin may nakuha po akong condo bago pa lang yung 30% nya payable in 48 mos,pwede ko po bang iapply ng housing loan yun before matapos yung 48 mos
dito po ako nagwowork sa abroad nasa pangalan ko po yung unit ng condo na yun makakaavail po ba ko ng loan para doon sa condo na nakuha ko?thanks reply asap,
OFW po ako at required na kaming maging member ng PAG-IBIG so ngayun po active contributor na ako, ang problema ko po ayoko ng mag LOAN dahil naka loan na po ako dati so may bahay na ako in short po wala na akong paggagamitan pa ng PAG-IBIG. ano pa po ba pwede nyong mai-suggest sa akin? pwede ko na lang ba ma withdraw ang hinuhulog ko sa time na gusto ko ng pumirme sa pilipinas?
salamat po.
@Mik:
Yes, that’s the way it works. Actually, the loan now will be based on the cost of the project, but the collateral will include your lot. It’s
from the 2M that you will be shouldering the equity.
@rosellie:
I would suggest that she become a regular member. Please visit the Pag-IBIG Office near you.
@WJZC:
What do you mean by that?
@joey:
Yes, that should be the case. YOu need to apply for a home loan even before you start paying for your down payment.
@noel:
The tough part is that it is mandatory, so whether you like it or not, Pag-IBIG will find a way to get your initial contributions. The good news is, it’s only
minimal.
Pwede din po pa explain ng interim interest? Yun pong chinacharge daw every time mag release sila ng check.
Sir/Ma’am,
Good day po!
Matagal din po me naging member ng Pag-ibig kaya lang last year, 1 year po ako di nakapaghulog dahil nakapagabroad po ako dito s Riyadh. Pero pag-uwi ko po last march inasikso ko po at pinagpatuloy pero now under POP na po. Monthly po naghuhulog ng contribution ang misis ko. Ang tanong ko lang po ay pwede na po ba akong magcah loan ng pang pagawa ng bahay or makapag avail ng housing program s selected subdivision pag-uwi ko? Second question po ay ky po b ng kulang 1 month ang pagaasikaso nito? 1 month lang po kasi bakasyon ko pero yearly naman po ang uwi ko. Kung sakali po ba pwedeng ang misis ko n ang magasikaso ngayon para pagdating ko s april ay pirmahan na lang kung sakali sa mga documents na kailingan pirmahan.
Thank you po!,reading this message is very much appreciated as well as your reply.
God bless po!
@mik:
Is that from the side of the developer? An interim financing usually happens if you are done with your down payment but your housing loan is not yet taken out.
@Julius:
1. As long as you are actively paying for 24 months by the time you apply, no problem.
2. Yes, your wife can be your representative.
admin,…ofw po ang mister ko..gusto q po sna imember xa..my ngsabi po sken n pwdeng aq ang mgfile pra skanya at aq dn po ang mghuhulog ng contribution nya…ask q lng f ano ang mga requirements n dadalin q para maimember xa…wait q po reply nyo…..tnx..
admin,kailangan po bang habang nagbabayad ako ng 30% ng downpayment scheme ng condo nag aapply na po ba ako ng loan sa pag ibig for condominium loan?thanks,
gud am! i’m anthoner, my mother in law applied last few months why is that
possible took so long for the said loan amount she applied for? please answer my question……thanks……i’m waiting for your answers……
magandang araw po,my brother took a housing loan via PAG_IBIG or POP.i am not sure which one, but he went abroad,on his return he decided to let go of the house bec.of marital/infedility issues,and also now unable to pay his monthly dues,can pag-ibig buy back the house and lot in a reduced amount and who is the person best to get in touch to deal with things like this.i would really appreciate any infos.kind regards…
@lottie:
No, Pag-IBIG doesn’t do any Buy-Back. It’s the developer’s job to do it.
@jin_devil33:
Please check it at the Pag IBIG branch where the loan application was made.
@joey:
Yes, that will be to your advantage since you will know in advance if you will be granted the loan or not.
@monette:
Please read this article for the membership requirements:
https://www.pagibigfinancing.com/articles/2010/voluntary-membership-to-pag-ibig-fund-the-self-employed-freelancers-and-non-employees/
maaari po bang maka business loan ako,,9yrs na po akong member,2005 stop n po ang hulog ko. Isa po akong OFW.
Sir, ask lang po ulit halimbawa po ba na approved ung housing loan ko kaso ung orignal design ng bahay na pinasa ko sa pag ibig ay gusto kong baguhin during the construction stage halimbawa imbes na firewall ung side iatras ko nalng po para mag ka bintana maapektuhan po ba ang release sa akin ng pag ibig? hope to hear from you
Regards
Admin,
Good day po!
Follow question po regarding comment number 32 and specially this answer of yours, @Julius:
1. As long as you are actively paying for 24 months by the time you apply, no problem. Is this means 24 months continues contribution? because 2004 to 2010 jan my company paying my contribution but when I go here abroad from feb 2010 to feb 2011 I’m not paying my contribution. When I go home last march I continue paying my contribution thats means if I go home this coming april Im paying my contribution for 12 months consecutively only. If actively paying means consecutively paying monthly is that means I need to wait for another 12 months? I hope and prayed that there is consideration for my situation Ma’am/Sir and I’ll be glad to know it. God bless po!
@Rolando:
A business loan could be under the Pag IBIG MPL Program. TO know more about MPL, please check the link below.
https://www.pagibigfinancing.com/articles/2010/the-pag-ibig-multi-purpose-loan/
@Victor:
The House Design that you submitted will be the basis of their evaluation also. So please submit the real one.
@Julius:
Actually, it depends also on the branch that handles your account. They may allow you get a loan since you have been a member for a long time already. But if not, you may want to pay the remaining 12 months advanced and then wait for a couple more months. Please negotiate with them.
Admin,
Thank you very much! All my question are answered well!
God bless always!
pde po b mg refinance ang pag ibig and pde po b byaran ang previous month n d nbyaran?
Hi sir.thanks for coming up w ds website.
Sir ask q lng po if pwede iapply ung bahay for home improvement loan if hnd p fully paid ung lote s nha.
also ofw po aq so pano po pwd maging posible n lumakad ung application while andito aq s saudi.thanks ng marami.
Habol lng sir panu po b mapaconsolidate ung contributions q d2 s saudi at s pinas pwd po b idelegate q s nanay q s pinas?
Sang office at department po ung condolidation.never p po aq ngapply ng any loan s pag ibig.
Thanks po ulit.
i am a pag ibig member for almost 6years. i am an ofw at present and wanted to have a housing loan. i have read that a consent from my spouse will be needed when i apply for the loan. i have bean separated with my husband (but not legally) and we are not in good terms. will this incident hinder me from applying for the loan?
@catherine:
Any real property that you buy becomes a conjugal property. Short answer: Yes.
@Railyn:
I’m not sure about the policies of the NHA on that one. Please check with them. Since you are abroad, you may want to have a representative here in the country do all your transactions.
@ana:
Yes, refinancing is possible.
hi admin,i am an ofw since december 2008, and i stop my contribution the same date. last month october i start to contribute again in one of your outlet here in singapore. since i dont know my pag-ibig account no. they just gave me a new one temporarily. and they said its ok.. and can add up that to my old pag-ibig account if i will activate the status of my old account…
1. is it true?
2. how come? like for example if i want to avail a housing loan? you mean i need to wait for me to complete my ofw 24 months contribution?
3. then hows my 4 years local contribution? is it like forfeited?
actually admin i let my father follow up that today in the philippines. then one of the staff said that my local contribution is different from ofw and cannot combine it.. for me to have a housing loan.
what to do.?? please help. its so confusing po. thank you admin.
hi admin! possible po ba na ako nlng mag-apply ng membership sa pag-ibig dito sa pinas para sa wife ko na nasa canada na po? hindi pa po kasi sya nakakapag-pa member sa pag-ibig since then…o kailangan sya talaga dapat personally ang mag-apply ng membership nya? Thanks
Hi,
hopefully po ay magkaron po kayo ng program na pedeng gawing isa nalang ang pagibig1 and pop for ofw. i mean pde sanang i-continue nalang po yung pagibig1 at ichange nlng ang status into ofw category.. since capable naman mag bayad mostly ang mga ofw especially in availing the housing loan.. mostly po kasi yan ang problem ng mga ofw. that would help a lot po kung mag open kayo ng like ng suggestion ko po.
Salamat po.
hi admin,i am an ofw since december 2008, and i stop my contribution the same date. last month october i start to contribute again in one of your outlet here in singapore. since i dont know my pag-ibig account no. they just gave me a new one temporarily. and they said its ok.. and can add up that to my old pag-ibig account if i will activate the status of my old account…
1. is it true?
2. how come? like for example if i want to avail a housing loan? you mean i need to wait for me to complete my ofw 24 months contribution?
3. then hows my 4 years local contribution? is it like forfeited?
actually admin i let my father follow up that today in the philippines. then one of the staff said that my local contribution is different from ofw and cannot combine it.. for me to have a housing loan.
what to do.?? please help. its so confusing po. thank you admin.
hi admin; ask klng po kng pwde po magloan pra sa apartment na gusto kng pgawa sa amin member po ako ng pop ofw po ako?
hi gud day sir/maam..i am a seafarer..i am a member of pop.mula po nung nakuha ko yung pag ibig ID ko hindi po ako nkahulog ng monthly contribution po..pero sabi ng mga kasamahan ko po sa barko kahit hindi ako ngbayad personally,deducted nman daw po yun sa alotment namin..totoo po ba yun??kasi po gusto ko po sanang mag loan para renovation ng bahay namin..sana po ma assist nyo kami..maraming salamat po..
hi po ofw din po ako ask ku po 2yrs po ako pay ng pag ibig in local. tpos ng 1yrs n po ako pay n ofw pidi n b ako mg laod pero po lot lng muna gusto ku load at s tao lng pero my comply peper nman po ung lot pnu po ung at ga anu katagal ug proces. at sbi s bataan hnd daw pidi iba daw ung lokal at ofw. dpt daw 2yrs pay ung ofw. pnu po ung pay ku dati n lokal wl n ung syang nman po ung. sna 3yrs n po ako pay ng pag ibig. sbi s poea s office niyu dun blik bayad pidi daw.hnd nila alam s bataan. db isa lng ang pag ibig. at san b pidi ako pumunta. sbi nila s makati daw ako punta san po b talaga. tnx po
hello po…
mag inquire lang po ako tungkol sa loan na mag pagawa nang bahay 3 years consecutive na po ang payments ko sa pag ibig at ofw po ako tapos may nabili ako na lupa malapit nang matapos gusto ko sanang mag loan sa pag ibig para mka gawa na ako nang bahay pag uwi ko ..ano po ba ung ika advise nyo sa akin ung dapat kung gagawin..salamat po
Darleen,
Here are the steps to take:
https://www.pagibigfinancing.com/articles/2010/the-pag-ibig-housing-loan-process/
Hello Po,
Andito ako ngayon sa US nahinto po yung contribution ko sa pag-ibig ng dalawang taon.
Kapag i continue ko po ang aking contribution meron po bang interest yung 2 years na
hindi ako nakapag hulog???
Thanks
Marilyn
Marilyn,
Yes. It continues to earn interests. For details, please refer to this article:
https://www.pagibigfinancing.com/articles/2010/your-money-in-pag-ibig-fund/
have a nice day po,
ang mama ko po may ofw gusto sana nyang mag avail ng loan kaso po bago pa po sya naging member okey lang pa ba na e full payment nya po ang 24 months pwede na po ba cyang maka file ng loan??
gramie,
If that’s for housing loan, yes.
isa po akong seaman at balak ko sanang magpatayo nang bahay pero kolang ang pera ko pwdi ba ako mag file nang housing loan para matapos ko ang bahay ko at makalipat na agad bago ako babalik ulit sa barko ano po ba ang mga requirements para maasikaso ko na po salamat po
Felipe,
It would help if you also use an agent to assist you. Meanwhile, please read this article:
https://www.pagibigfinancing.com/articles/2011/5-great-tips-for-the-first-time-pag-ibig-home-buyers/
Hi Admin, ask ko lang pwede ko ba i loan sapag ibig yung property na bibilhin ko sa father ko? Ano ang mga proper requirements? Dad ko is a seaman and ako naman OFW din. So ngayon nasa abroad ako, i already sent SPA sa wife ko para cya mag process. Ask ko rin kung kailangan na ba agad yung Deed of Absolute Sale from my dad? Paano ko kaya ma acquire yung property ng dad ko?