Php1-billion
released for housing, other loans in Zambo City – Pag-IBIG
By Dominic I. Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA CITY, January 20 (PIA) – Close to
P1 billion in housing and other loans were granted to members of Pag-IBIG Fund
here for the past year, as collection targets have been surpassed, reports the
Pag-IBIG Fund Branch.
Ms. Mary Joanne I. Reyes, member services
head, said Php608-million was approved and granted for both multi-purpose and
calamity loans, while Php383-million was released to finance members’ loans
covering about 477 housing units.
Reyes added that business is good, since
member collections have exceeded way beyond their 100% target.
“Many members are now very happy with their
new homes,” Reyes said, adding that they received a total of 1,286 housing loan
requests for 2015 in Zamboanga City alone.
As the city was declared under a state of
calamity on January 12 due to the dry spell, Pag-IBIG Fund will also be granting calamity loans to
its members here.
“Once we are furnished with a copy of the
City Council resolution declaring Zamboanga under a state of calamity, we will
be able to send the same to our head office for funding,” Reyes shared.
Meanwhile, Pag-IBIG Fund warns employers
who do not remit their employees’ contributions.
“We have gone after erring employers, and
they had no choice but to pay back the arrears in thousands of pesos,” said
Reyes.
Under Republic Act 9679, fund coverage is
mandatory for all employers and employees covered by SSS, GSIS, uniformed
personnel, OFWs, household service workers or “kasambahays”, members of
transport groups, professionals, vendors and other informal income earners.
Pag-IBIG Fund, as a government-owned and
controlled corporation is very financially sound, as to date, it boasts of
Php379.25-billion in total assets, with 15.76 million remitting members to
include 4.31 million OFWs.
The Fund now has 117 branches nationwide with
an additional 22 posts in key cities worldwide, and is continuously expanding,
according to Reyes.
