THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) have signed a joint memorandum circular (JMC) that aims to assist overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in accessing housing benefits under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar and DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac signed the JMC as among the highlights of the closing of the National Shelter Month 2024 celebration.
The two agencies have pledged to facilitate access for OFWs to housing benefits, particularly with the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund and under the 4PH program.
They agreed to consider OFWs and their next of kins among the priority sectors of 4PH, and establish mechanisms to facilitate their applications through the Pag-IBIG Fund.
“This is our simple way of honoring the sacrifices of our OFWs, not only for their families but more importantly for the country,” the housing czar said in a statement emailed to The Manila Times.
He said it has been the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to include OFWs among the priority-beneficiaries of 4PH to help them uplift their families through safe, decent yet affordable shelters.
Cacdac thanked the DHSUD and Pag-IBIG Fund for providing OFWs the access to the housing program.
Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene Acosta, meanwhile, vowed full support to the JMC as she cited their ongoing efforts to provide OFWs with ready and easy access to Pag-IBIG services.
With the signing of the circular, which was the result of an initial memorandum of understanding between DHSUD and DMW, OFWs interested with 4PH will now have clearer and better channels on how to process their applications, Acuzar said.
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