| Story Views | |
| Now: | |
| Last Hour: | |
| Last 24 Hours: | |
| Total: | |
Group lauds PAG-IBIG move to open calamity loan to OFWs kin, but insists on reimplementation of OWWA financial assistance program
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 15:30
% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.
Press Release
16 August 2012
Group lauds PAG-IBIG move to open calamity loan to OFWs kin, but insists on reimplementation of OWWA financial assistance program
A migrants’ rights group based in the Middle East lauded the move by the Home Mutual Development Fund, popularly known as PAG-IBIG, opening the calamity loan to the kin of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) living in areas declared under the state of calamity due to floods.
On a press release dated August 15, Vice President Jejomar Binay, also presidential adviser on OFWs concern, said that ‘OFWs with families living in areas under a state of calamity may apply for the Home Development Mutual Fund’s (HDMF or Pag-IBIG Fund) calamity loan.’
“Ang lahat ng mga OFW na aktibong miyembro ng Pag-IBIG Fund na may 24 buwang kontribusyon at nakatira sa mga lugar na idineklarang under state of calamity ay pwedeng kumuha ng calamity loan,” Binay stated on a statement issued by OVP Media.
The vice president specified the basic requirements so that kin of OFWs may avail the PAG-IBIG calamity loan with a lowered interest rate of 5.95 percent from 10.75% such as the minimum 24 months contributions, must present 2 valid IDs, and a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) issued by the OFW to his or her kin in the Philippines. The OFW or his or her kin may apply at PAG-IBIG branch where he or she is remitting the contributions.
Reacting to this, M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said: “We, OFWs and our dependents, appreciate the PAG-IBIG move to allow our kin in the Philippines to apply for a calamity loan. The lowered interest rate is also a timely aid especially to OFW kin whose houses and properties have been flooded.”
According to M-ME, citing monitoring reports from Migrante provincial and municipal chapters in the Philippines, there are at least 200,000 OFW families that were affected by floods due to monsoon rains that pounded Metro Manila and nearby provinces such as Laguna, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and in Northern Luzon.
“Based on our monitoring, there are at least 200,000 OFW families in Metro Manila that were forced to leave their houses due to floods and temporarily staying in various evacuation centers,” Monterona said.
Monterona added that a significant number of OFWs in the Middle East sought assistance from their group after their kin in Metro Manila and nearby provinces informed of their dire situation.
“The affected OFW families living in areas under the state of calamity really need assistance. Thus, we are calling Pres. Aquino III to instruct the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to reimplement the defunct OWWA general financial assistance program or GFAP,” Monterona added.
Monterona noted that the GFAP was stopped, among other programs and services, when OWWA implemented the OWWA Omnibus Policies on 2004 during the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration.
He added that the GFAP would provide quick economic relief in a form of cash to OFW families in time of calamities. “OFWs who are OWWA-members should easily avail GFAP in support of their families in the Philippines,” Monterona averred.
Monterona noted that the OFWs trust fund, held in trust to the government care of OWWA, is estimated to have reached P13-B, pooled from individual OFW membership fee of US$25.
Monterona said only US$2 or .08 percent of the US$25 OFW membership fee is spent for OFWs direct services and programs. “The budget allocated for OFWs direct services and programs is a pittance, a reflection on how meager the government’s programs and services to OFWs and their dependents.”
Meanwhile, on August 13, a composite team from Migrante International home office, Migrante Sectoral Party (MSP) and its provincial chapter in Laguna offered relief goods to 470 families in Brgy. San Jose, Binan, Laguna, Monterona citing report from MSP-Laguna provincial coordinator Kenneth David.
Last week, ‘Sagip Migrante’ team was in Angono, Rizal, providing relief goods to about 200 families.
“Migrante will continue its ‘Sagip Migrante’ relief operations. It will proceed in areas where there are families, including OFWs dependents, affected by the flood. Our ‘Sagip Migrante’ fund drive is still on-going and we will be glad to receive donations from our fellow OFWs and their organizations abroad,” Monterona ended.
Donations may be deposited to Sagip Migrante’s bank account.
Account name: Migrante International
Bank of the Philippines Islands, Kalayaan Branch
Savings Account No. 1993-0859-16
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM
For details please email [email protected].
Relief goods may also be sent to Migrante International’s Home Office: #45 Cambridge St, Cubao, Quezon City
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator
Migrante-Middle East
Mobile No. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112
2012-08-15 15:25:31
Source: http://migranteme.blogspot.com/2012/08/group-lauds-pag-ibig-move-to-open.html
Source:
