MIGRANT Workers Secretary Susan Ople and Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to help overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) realize their dream of providing homes for their families.
The partnership paves the way for the inclusion of eligible OFWs as beneficiaries of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development‘s (DHSUD) Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH), a flagship housing program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
“Mahalaga na may nakalaan na mga pabahay units sa ating OFWs dahil ito ay pangarap nila at bilang pagkilala na din sa kanilang napakalaking ambag sa ating bansa,” Ople said.
Ople underscored the importance of the partnership, citing a recent Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas consumer report where 12.9 per cent of surveyed OFWs said they set aside part of their remittances to purchase a house.
“To own a home in an affordable way, this is what this agreement offers to every OFW,” Ople added.
“In signing this Memorandum of Understanding, we commit to assist our modern-day heroes in realizing their dreams to have a house of their own. Isang malaking karangalan po para sa akin na makapag-silbi kahit papaano sa ating mga bayaning OFWs,” Acuzar said.
Under the MOU, the DHSUD shall provide a list of relevant housing programs and services for eligible OFWs and their families. It shall also designate a dedicated 4PH Project Management Office to act as the focal office to implement the MOU with the DMW.
For its part, the DMW shall identify and assist eligible OFWs who may access appropriate housing programs and services of the DHSUD. It shall also designate the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) as its focal office to coordinate and implement the MOU with the DHSUD.
The DMW also signed an agreement with the Pag-IBIG Fund represented by its Chief Executive Officer Marilene Acosta.
The partnership agreement allows the Pag-IBIG Fund to conduct education and information campaigns among OFWs for membership into the fund and to encourage availment of the 4PN program for OFWs. Pag-IBIG shall also conduct projects to promote financial literacy among OFWs that shall help build their appreciation for savings and capacity to manage investments.
The DMW, on the other hand, shall provide platforms and venues for the PAG-IBIG to promote its programs and services among OFWs supporting especially their reintegration.
