Pag-ibig Fund @ 31 : Makabuluhan, Matatag at Maaasahan

By Alma L. Tingcang

PAGADIAN CITY, December 14 (PIA) - - Aptly describing the name for which it stands, the theme for Pag-ibig Fund’s 31st Anniversary celebration symbolizes the epitome of quality service through the years - - “Makabuluhan, Matatag at Maaasahan.” In a press conference held at the Roxan Hotel yesterday, Mr. Ibrahim N. Lajarato, Branch Manager  of the Home Development Mutual Fund, Pagadian Branch enlightened the media by saying, “Makabuluhan because we have made ourselves relevant to members who availed of our housing loan program. We made their dreams come true and now they own a house. At the same time, we made savings an important part of any worker’s life. Savings are important especially for future use. That is why Pag-ibig Fund is called a provident fund, it is a provision for the future.”   Matatag in the sense that they have been meeting a lot of challenges and threats in its 31 years of existence, implementing crucial strategies and hitting the P300 billion asset mark to date. “So Pag-ibig Fund is now a P300B company,” Lajarato modestly explained. Maaasahan because in times of calamities, through difficult times of our lives Pag-ibig is there to cushion the impact of devastation by providing short term benefits to its members. At the height of the typhoons that hit Metro Manila and the rest of the country, Lajarato said, “while other offices were closed, we were open to serve our members. So we made ourselves reliable when you need some money for your expenses, always there ready to serve you.” Briefly citing the notable accomplishments of Pagadian Branch, Lajarato  said that as of November, 2011, membership level stood at 69,000 reaching a collection of P1.082 billion broken down into the following : Members’ contribution – P194.46M; STL collections getting the bulk at P663.96M and housing loan collections - P223.93M. On the other hand, total fund disbursements amounted to P1.011.98B: housing loans – P328.84M; STL -  P608.14M and claims -  P74.98M. The excess of over P70 million goes to show that Pagadian branch can sustain its operations by just collecting and at the same time disbursing its funds, without necessarily needing any funds from head office. Lajarato shared another piece of good news. On January 2, 2012, the penalty condonation program for housing loans will be implemented. Default borrowers are given six (6) months to avail of this program which means that all penalties will be condoned and the amount left will become the restructured account. Your obligation would be to pay the restructured account together with your original account. This is a very good chance offered for those who were not able to pay their housing loans on time. Meanwhile, Pag-ibig is on its final  course for the computerization of records with the end in view of making its services accessible anywhere in the country and facilitating transactions hassle-free to members. Relative to this, he said Pag-ibig Fund was recently ISO certified, awarded the seal of excellence “meaning it complies with international standards of excellence in delivering quality service.” Hopefully next year, the Fund will open a  branch in Ozamiz City and Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, bringing its services closer to the people. As Atty. Margie James Lumasag, Attorney IV rightly said, “With Pag-ibig Fund, you’re in safe hands.” We say Mabuhay and more power on your 31st Anniversary today! (ALT-PIA9/Zambo Sur)