VP Noli bats for early release of Christmas year-end bonus for gov’t, private sector workers

September 29, 2009


At the Cabinet meeting today, Vice President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairman Noli “Kabayan” De Castro proposed the immediate release of government workers’ year-end bonus as additional form of emergency financial assistance to victims of typhoon Ondoy.

“This will be a big help to our employees in the public sector especially those affected by Ondoy. I requested the Cabinet to release the bonus at the soonest possible time… to not wait for November anymore. I also appeal to our private sector employers to do the same for their workers.

Government employees are scheduled to receive this November, the second half of their year-end bonus, comprising their basic pay and cash gift of P5,000. They had received the first half last May 2009.

De Castro also informed that the Cabinet members agreed to his suggestion to donate their two months’ salaries to augment the relief effort of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). “Every centavo counts especially now when resources are limited,” he stressed.

The Vice President and HUDCC Chairman has earlier instructed the Home Development Mutual Fund or the Pag-IBIG Fund to prioritize the processing of calamity loan applications from affected members.

Pag-IBIG has already established two service centers in Marikina and Cainta to accept applications for calamity loans in addition to its existing branches.

“In Marikina, the field office is located at the Marikina Sports Park Building, in Osmundo De Guzman corner McDonalds Avenue (fronting the Marikina City Hall) and in Cainta, Rizal, our office is found at the People’s Center Ground Floor, Municipal Compound in Bgy. Sto. Domingo,” informed Jaime Fabiaña, chief executive officer of Pag-IBIG Fund.

Members need only to fill out the applications. They can get their calamity loan checks within one day to a maximum of three days which will be credited to their Land Bank accounts. “We will not ask anymore for other requirements, just the loan application,” added Fabiaña.

Thus far, the Fund has received a total of 1,115 calamity loan applications from their members who can borrow up to 80% of their total savings composed of their personal contributions, their employer counterpart savings as well as the dividends earned.

As an additional relief, the loan has a five-month grace period before members start paying their calamity loans.

Fabiana pointed out that members with existing Multi-Purpose Loans (MPLs) can still avail themselves of the assistance. However, the outstanding MPL balance will be deducted from the proceeds of their calamity loan.

To qualify, applicants must be residents of localities declared as calamity areas who have paid at least 24 monthly contributions, and are active members at the time of application. They must continue to remit their contributions during the term of the loan.

Fabiana said that the Pag-IBIG call center, 724.4244, will entertain calls even on Saturdays to entertain inquiries about the Calamity Loan program. Members can also call telephone numbers 811.4198, 811.4122, 811.4123, and 893.3900. Or they can visit the nearest branch in their area.

The Pag-IBIG Fund Calamity Loan Program is an on-going scheme made available to Fund members which can be used for minor home repair and livelihood assistance. In 2008, Pag-IBIG has released more than P4 billion in calamity loans that benefited 250,798 members.

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