By Josine Estuye
MANILA, (PNA) -– Vice President Jejomar Binay Friday said overseas Filipino workers, who are members of Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG) and whose families are affected by the conflict in Zamboanga, may apply for Pag-IBIG’s calamity assistance program.
Binay, the Presidential Adviser on OFW Concerns, said in a statement, saying Filipinos overseas will just have to authorize their relatives in Zamboanga by executing a Special Power of Attorney to transact with Pag-ibig on their behalf.
The vice president said OFWs may also go to their nearest Pag-IBIG overseas desk for information and assistance regarding the application for the program.
Once the application is approved by thePag-ibig’s overseas desks, the checks will be released in the Philippines and may be claimed by a relative with an SPA.
To date, Pag-IBIG has released P19,030,577 in calamity loans to residents of Zamboanga, for the rebuilding or rehabilitation of their houses that were partially or totally destroyed.
The P19 million is for the 933 loan applications that have completed the processing. Around 2,500 more are still being processed for approval.
As of now, the Pag-ibig-Zamboanga still operates from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
Aside from the fund’s assistance, other key shelter agencies like National Housing Authority and Home Guarantee Corporation has also been directed by the vice president to aid Zamboanga displaces residents.
Yesterday, he also called on home developers to help rebuild houses for the 15,000 families rendered homeless by the conflict.
“We at the housing sector intend to help our kababayans in Zamboanga rise up from this tragedy, even as we pray that peace finally reign in Mindanao,” Binay said.