Outside the Philippines, the Filipino community in Hong Kong is among the biggest in the world, with thousands upon thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) working here in various jobs and professions. And when it comes to paying Pag-IBIG fund contributions, there are many ways to do that here, as well.
In 2009, Republic Act No. 9679 or the “Home Development Mutual Fund Law” expanded membership to the HDMF or Pag-IBIG Fund to OFWs. As members, they are entitled to the fund’s benefits and services, which include affordable housing loans and high-earning savings programs. Meanwhile, Pag-IBIG membership is voluntary for Filipino immigrants, permanent residents abroad, and Pinoys who have become “naturalized” citizens in other countries.
Hong Kong OFW’s Guide to Paying Pag-IBIG Contributions
Before anything else, let’s have a brief overview of the Pag-IBIG Fund, its programs and benefits, and the different ways of paying membership contributions.
What is Pag-IBIG?
Also known as the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), Pag-IBIG is a government corporation that is managed by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD). The acronym Pag-IBIG actually stands for “Pagtutulungan sa kinabukasan: Ikaw, Bangko, Industriya, at Gobyerno.”
Vision and Mission
The Pag-IBIG Fund official website presents the agency’s vision and mission, as follows:
Vision. “For every Filipino worker to save with Pag-IBIG Fund, to achieve their dream of home ownership, and to improve their quality of life.”
Mission. “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
Members of the Pag-IBIG Fund, including OFWs, can avail of these programs and benefits:
Regular Savings
Also called “Pag-Ibig I Savings,” this is where members’ monthly contributions of PHP 200/month go. Compared to commercial banks, this program offers higher annual dividend earnings for account holders. Upon retirement, members shall receive the Total Accumulated Value (TAV), including all monthly savings, the employer’s counterpart (if any), and dividend earnings.
Modified Pag-IBIG 2 (MP2) Savings
This program offers higher annual dividend earnings than Regular Savings. It is best designed for members who want to earn more from their savings. Starting at PHP 500 month (in addition to the PHP 200 regular savings/contribution), the MP2 has a maturity period of five (5) years, after which members can withdraw their savings or invest it again with Pag-IBIG to earn even more!
Housing Loan
Buying or building a house is made more affordable, thanks to the Pag-IBIG Fund Housing Loan, which allows members to borrow up to PHP 6 million, depending on their membership savings. This loan may also be used to buy a residential lot only, improve a house, refinance an existing housing loan, or a combination of different housing purposes.
Health and Education Loan Programs (HELPs)
Need financial assistance for a health or education-related expense? Consider applying for Pag-IBIG’s Health and Education Loan Programs (HELPs). Members can borrow up to 80 percent of their Regular Savings. For faster processing, the amount would be directly credited to the hospitals and/or school that have partnerships with the Pag-IBIG Fund.
Multi-Purpose Loan (MPL)
As the name suggests, MPL can be used for different purposes, like minor home improvements, children’s school tuition, or additional capital for small enterprises. Similar to HELPs, members can borrow up to 80 percent of their Regular Savings under this program. The repayment period is up to two (2) years or 24 months.
Calamity Loan
The Calamity Loan is provided to members whose houses and communities have been greatly affected by a typhoon, earthquake, or other calamities. Once again, it amounts up to 80 percent of members’ Regular Savings, payable over two (2) or three (3) years.
Video: OFWs Receive New Homes During “Pamaskong Handog”
Last December 17, 2024, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) hosted “Pamaskong Handog,” an annual gift-giving activity for OFWs. Held at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang, the event was attended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., together with DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac. During the event, five OFWs were awarded new homes, through the initiative of the DMW, in coordination with the Pag-IBIG Fund.
Watch this video for highlights of “Pamaskong Handog” for OFWs:
How to Pay Pag-IBIG Contributions
Pag-IBIG Fund contributions may be paid online or “over the counter.” For over the counter payments, members can go to overseas branches and collecting agents of Asia United Bank (AUB), Philippine National (Bank), and Ventaja International Corporation, which are accredited banks and partners of Pag-IBIG.
At these banks and remittance companies, members can simply ask for a Remittance Application Form, state that they will be paying their Pag-IBIG Fund contribution, and make their payment. That’s it!
Pag-IBIG Remittance Centers in Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, there are many banks and remittance companies where OFWs can pay their Pag-IBIG Fund contributions. Here is a list of such banks and companies; they are affiliated with AUB, PNB, or Ventaja.
- Allied Banking Corporation (Hong Kong) Limited – Central Office
- Allied Banking Corporation (Hong Kong) Limited – Kowloon Branch
- BHF Hong Kong Limited
- BTI
- Cashsense
- Cebuana Lhuillier HK Limited
- Czarina Remittance Co. Ltd
- EEC Worldwide Elite Express
- JVP Marketing
- Kabayan
- LBC Mabuhay HK, Ltd
- Lucky Star Management Limited – World-Wide Plaza
- Lucky Star Management Limited – Lik-Sang Plaza
- Metrobank Remittance HK Limited
- Pinoy Express Services Ltd – Central Office
- PNB Global North Point
- PNB Global Remittance & Financial Co. (HK) Ltd. – Head Office
- PNB Global Shatin
- PNB Global Tsuen Wan
- PNB Global Worldwide House 101
- PNB Global Worldwide House 122
- PNB Global Yuen Long
- RCBC Financial Limited HK
- Reilsons HK Ltd
- Ria Exchange Ltd
- SMA International Limited / Workerappz
- TML Remittance CTR
- UAE Exchange Hong Kong Limited
How to Pay Pag-IBIG Contributions Online
Paying online is a convenient way to settle Pag-IBIG Fund contributions. This is made possible through the Virtual Pag-IBIG website, which accepts banks cards (Visa, MasterCard) and digital wallets (GCash, PayMaya) as mode of payments.
This method requires members to create a Virtual Pag-IBIG Account first. Registration can be done online, or at the nearest Pag-IBIG office. Once logged in, members can pay their contributions, check their savings and loan records, and make other transactions.
Contact Information: MWO Hong Kong
OFWs in Hong Kong can contact Pag-IBIG through the Migrant Workers Office (MWO). Please note that the office is open Sundays to Thursdays, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Address: 2902 29/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
Telephone: +852 2866 0640 / +852 2865 2445
Email: mwo_hongkong@dmw.gov.ph / vo_eastasia@pagibigfund.gov.ph
Website: https://mwohk-ph.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MWOHONGKONG
Google Map Location:
Final Thoughts
Many Filipinos dream of having their own home, for themselves and for their families, too. Thanks to Pag-IBIG, Filipinos both inside and outside the Philippines can apply for affordable housing loans, or save for retirement through Pag-IBIG’s savings programs.
Another government program that caters to Filipino workers is the Social Security System (SSS). Check out this article to learn more about how to pay SSS contributions, as an OFW in Hong Kong.