Barely two weeks after the implementation of a new republic act that requires all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to be a member of the government housing loan program, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said in an advisory that they will temporarily stop the collection of Pagibig contributions from OFWs.

An advisory that appeared in the official website of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said that it has deferred the collection of Pag-ibig contributions from OFWs, pending the issuance of new guidelines. In the meantime, pursuant to Republic Act 9679 making Pag-ibig membership among OFWs compulsory membership, all OFWs can pay their contribution through any Pag-ibig office nationwide.

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) now have an additional fee to pay before they will be given an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), — the Php600 membership fee for Pag-IBIG fund. The new memorandum from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) now requires all OFWs to be a member of Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pag-IBIG Fund. The Php600 would be equivalent to six months of contribution.- Read more.