The Philippine government continues to strengthen its efforts to support overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, with key agencies rolling out programs aimed at helping them rebuild their lives back home.
As part of these initiatives, the Pag-IBIG Fund has approved a special benefits package for repatriated OFWs, providing immediate financial relief and flexibility during a critical period of transition.
Under the program, qualified members are now allowed to access their savings earlier than usual. This includes the option to withdraw up to 100% of their Pag-IBIG Regular Savings—covering both employee and employer contributions, along with accumulated dividends—even before reaching the standard 20-year maturity period.
Additionally, OFWs may also withdraw up to 100% of their Modified Pag-IBIG II (MP2) Savings, including earned returns, without waiting for its typical five-year maturity.
For those with existing housing loans, the agency is also offering a three-month moratorium on monthly payments. During this period, borrowers will not incur any interest or penalties, and their loan terms will simply be extended by three months.
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling welcomed the move, emphasizing its importance in protecting the welfare of displaced workers and their families.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the directive of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ease the burden faced by OFWs amid the ongoing conflict.
“Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. upang maibsan ang epekto ng gyera sa ating mga OFWs, maaari nang ma-access ng ating mga bayaning OFWs ang kanilang Pag-IBIG Fund savings kung kakailanganin nila ngayon,” Aliling said.
As of February 2026, Pag-IBIG Fund reports that there are 891,427 registered OFW members across the Middle East. Of this number, 86,234 are MP2 savers, while 40,024 are active housing loan borrowers. The largest concentrations of OFWs are in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait.
The benefits package comes at a crucial time, as many repatriated workers face economic uncertainty, rising fuel costs, and increasing prices of basic goods. These measures form part of a broader whole-of-government approach aimed at cushioning the impact of the energy crisis and geopolitical tensions on Filipino migrant workers.
With these interventions in place, the government hopes to provide returning OFWs with the financial breathing room they need to recover, stabilize, and begin anew in the Philippines.
