Authorities in La Trinidad, Benguet, attempt to recover a construction worker reported killed in the magnitude 7 earthquake that hit Luzon on July 27, 2022. Photo by: La Trinidad PNP handout

Monday, August 1st, top officials of Pag-IBIG Fund revealed that the agency had initially allocated P3 billion in calamity loan money for members in calamity-stricken areas, including those affected by the powerful earthquake that struck North Luzon.

Photo by Police Regional Office 1

“Pag-IBIG Fund has allocated calamity loan funds to help affected members in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) recover from the devastation caused by last week’s earthquake. We are also working closely with our fellow government agencies, as directed by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. so that we can maximize our collective assets towards providing for the needs of our fellow Filipinos affected in these areas,” said newly appointed Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and Chairperson of 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees.

Under the Pag-IBIG Calamity Loan, qualifying members may borrow up to 80 percent of their total Pag-IBIG Savings, including their contributions, their counterpart employer's contributions, and accrued profits. And in recognition of the situation of the members, the calamity loan is issued at the market's lowest rate of 5.95 percent per annum. The loan is payable over three years, with a grace period of two months, so the first payment is not due until the third month following the loan's release. Within ninety days of a region's declaration of a state of calamity, qualified borrowers may apply for a calamity loan.

Meanwhile, Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Acmad Rizaldy P. Moti stated that the agency had deployed its mobile branch, the Lingkod Pag-IBIG On-Wheels, and established offsite service desks to accept applications for calamity loans from members and insurance claims from current Pag-IBIG Housing Loan borrowers whose properties may have been damaged by the earthquakes.

“In the wake of calamities, we are aware that our members need to have immediate access to our benefits and services. Immediately after the earthquake was felt, we deployed our mobile branch – the Lingkod Pag-IBIG-On-Wheels – to go around Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and the CAR and provide services where it’s needed most. In coordination with local government units, we have also set up on-the-ground service desks near evacuation areas and government centers in these regions so members can easily access us. Our Virtual Pag-IBIG also remains ready to accept calamity loan applications online from members who have access to internet service. And even while our own offices and personnel in earthquake-hit areas have also been affected, our branches are open and ready to receive calamity loan applications and housing loan insurance claims. Our members can be assured that during difficult times, Pag-IBIG will always be there to help them,” Moti said.

The number of houses damaged by the magnitude 7 earthquake that rocked Abra and other provinces in Northern Luzon has risen to 30,066, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as of August 4, 2022.

According to the most recent situation report, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) led the list with 24,733 dwellings, followed by the Ilocos Region with 5,331; and Cagayan Valley and the National Capital Region (NCR) with one apiece.