ONLINE TRANSACTION. Mark Ken Carmelita, members services officer at Pag-IBIG’s branch in Molo in this file photo. Carmelita said Wednesday (Nov. 18, 2020) they encourage members to transact via various online platforms as a precautionary measure against Covid-19. (PNA file photo)
ILOILO CITY – Clients of the Home Development Mutual Fund (HMDF) or Pag-IBIG here are encouraged to use online platforms as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
“Pag-IBIG fund is pushing for online transactions. Actually, prior (to) the pandemic, way back (in) 2015, we have already started campaigning for online transactions. First is online payment,” Mark Ken Carmelita, members services officer at the Pag-IBIG branch in Molo district, said in a phone interview on Wednesday.
Individuals can pay over the counter at the SM Bayad Center, corporate pawnshops, and accredited banks Metrobank and Landbank of the Philippines (LBP).
They can pay online using their credit card, Globe G-cash, PayMayaCheckout, Moneygment Mobile App, ECPay, Coins. ph, and other overseas collecting agents and partners.
Employers can pay online by enrolling their employees with partner banks, such as Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), LBP, Union Bank, Security Bank, and the Bancnet network of banks.
This is ideal for those with 10 or more employees.
Carmelita said Pag-IBIG has an in-house payment platform called the Electronic Submission of Remittance Schedule (eSRS) for employers with nine workers or less.
These employers can pay via Pag-IBIG’s payment channels, such as the LBC and the USSC Bayad Centers, he added.
“For the online facility, they can pay their Pag-IBIG savings or the Pag-IBIG1, and also the MP2, short-term loans and housing loan transactions,” Carmelita said, adding that only a few have availed of the online filing of short-term loans, such as the multi-purpose loan (MPL) and calamity loan.
The online filing of loan requires a member to submit a filled-out application form, one valid ID, and either an LBP cash card, United Coconut Planter’s Bank (UCPB) cash card, or the Pag-IBIG loyalty card Plus.
The Pag-IBIG loyalty card Plus is a three-in-one card that can be used as a transaction card, a discount promo card, and an automated teller machine card.
Once the loan is approved, the proceeds will be credited to the Pag-IBIG loyalty card Plus or cash card.
Pag-IBIG-Molo has enrolled about 130,000 members and 3,032 employers.
Carmelita noted that while the use of online platforms is encouraged, over-the-counter transactions are still available.
As an added precautionary measure, he said, they only allow a 50-percent capacity inside the office.
A holding area near the entrance has been set up “to filter out” the transactions of members.
“If they only wanted to view their records, we encourage them to create a virtual Pag-IBIG account. Those who wanted to file over the counter their loan, then we allow them to enter,” Carmelita said.
Those with payment arrears, however, are entertained at their branch as there is a need for the computation of penalties.
Meanwhile, virtual Pag-IBIG is an online facility that allows members to view their records online.
A member can open an account through the loyalty card plus or by visiting any Pag-IBIG branch.
The printing of the loyalty card Plus has already resumed at their Molo branch.
Members just have to present one valid government-issued ID, have their biometrics and e-signature captured, and pay PHP125.00, he added. (PNA)
