MANILA, Philippines —Qualified Pag-IBIG Fund members may now borrow up to P10,000 as cash aid through the Special Assistance for Financial Emergencies or SAFE Loan amid the continuing effects of the Middle East war, its top officials revealed on Tuesday.
Pag-IBIG Fund CEO Marilene Acosta said the SAFE Loan would allow qualified members to get quick and affordable cash assistance for urgent needs, giving them a safe alternative to abusive or high-interest loans.
Acosta said in a statement that the SAFE Loan was made simple and easy to access for members who can apply with greater convenience and receive their loans quickly once approved.
“They may apply through Virtual Pag-IBIG or at any Pag-IBIG Fund branch, and the loan proceeds may be credited directly to their Pag-IBIG Loyalty Card Plus,” she said.
“Its low interest rate, flexible payment terms, and three-month grace period before the first payment make it a more affordable option than many other cash loan options available elsewhere,” she added.
Payable over three years, the top Pag-IBIG official said the monthly payment for the amount of P10,000 would be as low as P308, giving members a manageable way to address urgent needs without resorting to high-interest loans.
In return, she said members could keep the agency’s programs strong and available to other members who may also need assistance if they would pay their loans on time.
“Pag-IBIG Fund is built on the savings and trust of its members. When members borrow responsibly and pay on time, they help keep our programs available so we can continue providing affordable assistance to more Filipino workers and their families,” the Pag-IBIG chief executive said.
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said the government continuedto help Filipino families manage the effects of developments abroad and the SAFE Loan wasanother way for Pag-IBIG Fund to provide practical assistance to its members.
Aliling, who also heads Pag-IBIG’s board of trustees, stressed that the assistance forms part of its continuing support for Filipino workers and their families in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to extend help to Filipinos during times of need.
“President Marcos has directed government agencies to bring timely and practical help closer to Filipino families, especially in times of need,” Aliling said.
The housing czar reiterated that the SAFE Loan would give qualified members access to affordable cash assistance for urgent household needs, among others.
The SAFE Loan also forms part of Pag-IBIG Fund’s broader response to the effects of the situation in the Middle East, following the special benefits package extended to repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFW) members, Aliling said.
“Now, we are also providing added support to qualified members here at home who may feel the effects through their daily expenses. Pag-IBIG Fund is here to provide help that is practical, affordable and within reach,” according to the DHSUD chief.
Acosta said that under the SAFE Loan, qualified members, who couldfile their applications until Sept. 8, 2026, may borrow up to P10,000 or up to 90 percent of their total Pag-IBIG Regular Savings, whichever is lower.
The loan carries a low interest rate of 5.95 percent per annum and may be paid over one, two or three years, depending on the member’s preferred repayment term, Pag-IBIG said.
“The amount they may receive will depend on how much they can still borrow from their Pag-IBIG Regular Savings, so their total Pag-IBIG Short-Term Loans, including the SAFE Loan, remain within the allowed 90 percent limit,” she said.
Members with an existing Pag-IBIG Multi-Purpose Loan or Calamity Loan may still receive SAFE Loan assistance, she added.
