Mandatory Pag-IBIG Coverage for OFWs

Republic Act No. 9679 establishes mandatory Pag-IBIG coverage and membership requirements for eligible members and provides for implementation mechanisms through applicable authorities.
POEA Memorandum Circular No. 06, S. 2010 implements mandatory Pag-IBIG coverage for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in POEA processes involving registration and exit clearance/OEC issuance.

POEA Memorandum Circular No. 06, S. 2010 provides that all Overseas Filipino Workers are covered by the Pag-IBIG Fund.
Coverage applies whether OFWs are landbased or seabased.
Coverage is tied to POEA processing for OFWs, including membership registration and issuance of POEA exit clearance/Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).

POEA implementation of mandatory Pag-IBIG coverage for OFWs begins on 01 August 2010.

Upon registration and deployment of an OFW, the worker must pay an initial membership contribution of six hundred pesos (P600.00).
The P600.00 initial contribution represents six (6) months of contribution.
The OFW may opt to contribute a higher amount as provided under Rule VI of Republic Act No. 9679.

OFWs must register for Pag-IBIG membership through POEA as part of the process for POEA document handling and issuance of POEA exit clearance/OEC.
For OFWs processed through the POEA Name Hire Facility, the Government Placement Branch, and the Balik-Manggagawa Center, OFWs must submit a Member Data Form (MDF) to POEA in addition to existing documentary requirements.
For OFWs hired through POEA-licensed recruitment agencies, the recruitment agency must submit the individual MDF of hired OFWs to POEA in addition to existing documentary requirements.
Submission of the MDF is required for the processing of the OFW’s documents and for the issuance of the POEA exit clearance/OEC.

Compliance with the membership registration and POEA processing procedures is required effective immediately.