The number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who have signed up for membership in Pag-IBIG Fund has increased by 105 percent from last year, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said.

                  The Vice President said out of the 10 million members recorded this year, 1, 503, 339 OFWs enlisted with Pag-IBIG, up from 773, 336 in 2010. 

                  “Napakagandang balita na ang membership ng Pag-IBIG Fund ay lumagpas na sa sampung milyon, ang pinakamataas na bilang sa buong kasaysayan ng ahensiya,” Binay said during the 2012 Pag-IBIG International Operations Group Regional Conference.

                  “Sa unang taon ng aking panunungkulan, ang bilang ng mga OFWs na sumapi sa Pag-IBIG ay tumaas ng 105 percent agad,” he added.

                  The Vice President, however, reminded that the work does not stop at merely encouraging Filipinos to join the Fund.

                  "Kailangang maipakita natin - at kailangang maramdaman nila – ang kabuluhan ng pagiging isang Pag-IBIG member," he said, adding that the best way to cater to local and overseas Filipino workers is through honest and dedicated service any time and anywhere in the world.

                  The Vice President cited Pag-IBIG’s 6-month moratorium on housing loans extended to OFWs affected by the uprisings in the Middle East and the tsunami in Japan.

                  He also mentioned tie-ups with government agencies such as the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office to make the Pag-IBIG registration and remittances of OFWs more efficient.

                  "Sa gitna ng ating pagtugon sa kakaibang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga miyembro, hindi natin kinalimutan, bagkus ay higit nating pinag-ibayo ang pagtulong sa kanilang makamit ang inaasam nilang sariling tahanan," Binay said.

                  The housing czar also noted the Fund’s short-term loans and savings programs, which he said, help Filipino families in times of need.

                  "Sa ating pakikisalamuha sa ating mga miyembro, hatid natin ang pangako ng magandang buhay, na may katuparan ang pinaghirapan sa Pag-IBIG Fund.  Mahalagang pare-pareho tayong naniniwala sa kaisipang ito, nang sa gayon ay matagumpay nating maisulong ang mga programa ng Pag-IBIG, ng HUDCC, at ng ating pamahalaan," he said.