Since 2009, membership in the Pag-IBIG Fund has been mandatory for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), as stated in Republic Act No. 9679 or the “Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) Law.” Meanwhile, for Filipino immigrants, permanent residents, and naturalized citizens abroad — membership with Pag-IBIG is voluntary.
Here in Qatar, there are many OFWs who are active members of Pag-IBIG; they are benefiting from the agency’s affordable housing loans and high-earning savings programs. When it comes to paying their Pag-IBIG Fund contributions, they are able to do so via online as well as “over the counter” methods.
Qatar OFW’s Guide to Paying Pag-IBIG Contributions
What is the Pag-IBIG Fund and the services it provides? How can OFWs in Qatar keep their membership active and pay contributions? The answers to these questions are tackled below:
What is Pag-IBIG?
The term Pag-IBIG stands for “Pagtutulungan sa kinabukasan: Ikaw, Bangko, Industriya, at Gobyerno.” Managed by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), it is also known as the Home Development Mutual Fund or HDMF.
Vision and Mission
According to the official website of Pag-IBIG, the agency’s vision is “for every Filipino worker to save with Pag-IBIG Fund, to achieve their dream of home ownership, and to improve their quality of life.”
Meanwhile, the mission of Pag-IBIG is “to generate more savings from more Filipino workers, to administer a sustainable Fund with integrity, sound financial principles, and with social responsibility, and to provide accessible funds for housing of every member.”
Programs and Benefits
What can members of Pag-IBIG expect to receive? Here are the programs and benefits offered by the agency:
Regular Savings
Every month, members of Pag-IBIG make a contribution (i.e. PHP 200 per month), which goes into their Regular Savings or “Pag-IBIG 1 Savings” account. Offering higher dividend earnings compared to most banks, this program enables members to save more for retirement. When they retire, they will receive the Total Accumulated Value (TAV), which includes all of their monthly savings, their employer’s counterpart (if any), and dividends.
Modified Pag-IBIG 2 (MP2) Savings
The MP2 is an optional savings program offered by Pag-IBIG; it involves higher dividend earnings compared to Regular Savings. The minimum contribution is PHP 500 per month, which members can withdraw after a five-year maturity period.
Housing Loan
Members who are planning to buy a residential lot/house and lot, or improve their house can avail of Pag-IBIG’s Housing Loan. Depending on their Regular Savings, they can borrow up to PHP 6 million. This loan may also be used to refinance an existing housing loan, or to fund a combination of different housing purposes.
Multi-Purpose Loan (MPL)
The Multi-Purpose Loan (MPL) may be used for various purposes, such as making minor home improvements, supporting a child’s educational fees, or adding capital for small businesses. Through this program, members can borrow up to 80 percent of their Regular Savings, and pay the loan for up to two (2) years.
Calamity Loan
This loan also amounts to up to 80 percent of members’ regular savings; it is payabe over two (2) or three (3) years. The Calamity Loan is available to members and their families who have been affected by typhoons, earthquakes, and other natural calamities.
Health and Education Loan Programs (HELPs)
These programs are designed to help finance members’ health and/or educational needs. Just like the MPL and Calamity Loan, members can borrow up to 80 percent of their Regular Savings. Funds are credited directly to the hospital and/or school (that are accredited by Pag-IBIG) for faster processing.
Video: OFWs Receive New Homes at “Pamaskong Handog”
Every year, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) holds “Pamaskong Handog,” a gift-giving activity for OFWs. Last December 17, 2024, the event was held at Heroes Hall in Malacañang, with the attendance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac.
During the event, the DMW, in coordination with Pag-IBIG, awarded new homes to five OFWs. Check out this video for event highlights:
How to Pay Pag-IBIG Contributions
One of the ways in which OFW members can pay Pag-IBIG contributions is by making “over the counter” payments. This is possible through banks and remittance companies that have partnerships with Pag-IBIG, namely: Asia United Bank (AUB), Philippine National Bank (PNB), Ventaja International Corporation, and their respective collecting agents.
To make over the counter payments, OFWs just need to go to a Pag-IBIG partner bank/remittance company, ask for a Remittance Application Form, and state that they will be paying their Pag-IBIG Fund contributions.
Pag-IBIG Remittance Centers in Qatar
Here in Qatar, the following banks and remittance companies serve as collecting agents for AUB, PNB, and Ventaja. And so, OFWs can pay their Pag-IBIG contributions in these places:
- Al Dar for Exchange Works
- Al Jazeera Exchange P.S.E.
- Al Mirqab Money Exchange
- Al Sadd Exchange W.L.L.
- Al Zaman Exchange
- Al Mana Exchange W.L.L.
- City Exchange Co.
- Doha Bank
- Eastern Exchange
- Habib Qatar International Exchange Ltd.
- National Exchange Company
- Qatar Desk Office
- Qatar Marketing Office
- Sky Freight Group
- UAE Exchange Qatar
How to Pay Pag-IBIG Contributions Online
Another way to pay Pag-IBIG Contributions is via the Virtual Pag-IBIG website. As long as members have a bank card (MasterCard, Visa) or a digital wallet (GCash, Maya), they can pay their contributions through this website.
Before using the website, members must first create a Virtual Pag-IBIG account, via online or at the nearest Pag-IBIG office. After creating an account, they can log in and use the website to pay contributions, view their loans and savings records, and more.
Contact Information: MWO Qatar
For OFWs in Qatar who need more information about Pag-IBIG Fund membership, programs, and benefits — you can get in touch with the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Doha through the following:
Address: Building No. 17, Street No. 908, Zone No. 66, Ad Dawhah Municipality, Doha, State of Qatar
Telephone: +97433182459 / +97450711514 (Pag-IBIG)
Email: mwo_qatar@dmw.gov.ph / popdoha@pagibigfund.gov.ph
Website: https://polodoha.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MWOqatar/
Google Map Location:
Final Thoughts
Owning a home, saving for retirement — these are the dreams of many OFWs. Thanks to Pag-IBIG, they can access affordable housing loans and join savings programs to achieve these goals.
Speaking loans, in cases of emergency, there are many ways to borrow the money you need, even abroad. Check out this article to learn more about various loans available to Filipinos in Qatar.