Pag-IBIG Fund Approves Special Benefits for OFWs Affected by Middle East Crisis
In alignment with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to provide essential assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) impacted by the Middle East crisis, the Pag-Ibig Fund has officially approved a special benefits package. This initiative enables qualified members to access their savings and receive temporary relief on housing loan payments, supporting their recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Timely Assistance Amid Repatriation Efforts
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, who chairs the 11-member board of trustees of Pag-Ibig, emphasized the timeliness of this package as the repatriation of war-affected OFWs continues. In a news release dated Sunday, April 5, 2026, Aliling stated, "This is the contribution of the Pag-Ibig Fund to President Marcos Jr.'s desire for a whole-of-government approach in helping our heroic OFWs."
Key Benefits of the Package
The approved benefits package includes several critical provisions designed to offer immediate financial relief:
- Qualified OFW members may apply to withdraw up to 100 percent of their Pag-Ibig regular savings, which encompasses employee share, employer share, and dividends earned, even before the 20-year maturity period.
- Members can also withdraw up to 100 percent of their Modified Pag-Ibig II (MP2 Savings), including returns earned, prior to its five-year maturity.
- A three-month moratorium on housing loan payments is available, free from interest and penalties, with the loan term extended by three months.
Aliling highlighted that this package provides members with more flexibility to meet urgent needs and support their families during this challenging period.
Scope and Reach of the Initiative
As of February 2026, Pag-Ibig Fund reported 891,427 registered OFW members in the Middle East, including 86,234 MP2 savers and 40,024 housing loan borrowers. The largest concentrations of members are in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, underscoring the widespread impact of the crisis.
Streamlined Application Process
Pag-Ibig Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene Acosta emphasized the importance of accessibility, stating, "We recognize that for this assistance to be truly responsive, it must be made available to qualified members in a manner that is fast, clear and accessible." To achieve this, applications for these benefits will be available online through Virtual Pag-Ibig, while over 200 branches, OFW Centers, and service offices remain ready to assist members and their families.
Members can access services from Monday to Friday in office-based branches and from Tuesday to Saturday in mall-based branches, in addition to utilizing the digital service channel, Virtual Pag-Ibig. This comprehensive approach ensures that support is readily available to those in need during this difficult time.
