To be a member of the Pag-IBIG Fund in the Philippines is now compulsory to all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). OFWs need to pay their contributions to Pag-IBIG before leaving the country.
OFWs going out of the country for the first time or returning back to the job site abroad are now required to submit their Pag-IBIG membership ID to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) before the issuance of OEC upon exiting the country.
Overseas employment certificate (OEC) is still the legal document required by immigration officials from OFWs leaving the country. OEC ensures that they have no pending obligations with the relevant government agencies, now including Pag-IBIG.
POEA and Pag-IBIG have completed the integration of their systems for the new premium collection scheme last February.
“All licensed recruitment agencies, POEA frontline personnel and Philippine Overseas Labor Offices [POLOs] are requested to help disseminate, remind, and assist their OFW-clients regarding this joint advisory,” the two agencies said in a joint statement.
Sources: POLO, Pagibig, Joint POEA – Pag-ibig Fund Advisory