MOBILE PAG-IBIG. Lingkod Pag-IBIG on Wheels (LPOW) serves clients in San Joaquin, Iloilo on Monday (Nov. 20, 2023). The LPOW is deployed in the countryside to reach out to underserved clients. (Photo courtesy of Mark Ken Carmelita)
ILOILO CITY – For the second time this year, the Home Development Mutual Fund (HMDF) or Pag-IBIG deployed its mobile office to underserved areas in Panay to cater to transactions of members and non-members.
Mark Ken Carmelita, members services officer at the Pag-IBIG branch in Molo district, said in a phone interview on Thursday that the Lingkod Pag-IBIG on Wheels (LPOW) has been deployed in Panay this month, starting with Antique and northern portions of Iloilo.
From Nov. 20-21, it was deployed to southern towns of Iloilo, including San Joaquin and Tigbauan, where they served around 100 clients, in Aklan from Nov. 23-24, and Capiz from Nov. 27-29.
The van will return to Cebu after the Capiz engagement, waiting for deployment to other areas in the Visayas.
“LPOW was launched in 2022 to address the diverse needs of Filipinos because there are some that have no access to government services, especially those in the countryside,” he said.
Among the many services available are membership registration, verification of records, filing of multi-purpose loans and provident benefit claims, MP2 enrollment, housing loan inquiries, updating of records, and loyalty card plus.
“Since the van is limited, we identify places, we prioritize those in the countryside because others no longer have time to go to the city. So this is an opportunity to transact,” he said.
He said they brought their Pag-IBIG loyalty card kiosk to the LPOW venue, although it could only serve a limited number.
Carmelita said membership with Pag-IBIG is supposed to be mandatory for those earning PHP1,000 and above, but it is not strictly implemented.
He believed a lot of Ilonggos were eligible to become members.
A member of Pag-IBIG can enjoy benefits like savings where their monthly contribution earns an annual dividend, availing of loans, and the Pag-IBIG loyalty card plus.
He added they accept walk-in clients during the LPOW. (PNA)
