By Lane Afable, News Editor
Public school teachers and education personnel are expected to benefit from a faster process and special housing privileges after the Department of Education (DepEd) secured priority access to the nationwide housing fairs of the Home Development Mutual Fund, more commonly known as the Pag-IBIG Fund.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara led the coordination with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Pag-IBIG Fund to assist DepEd personnel who are struggling to acquire their own homes due to rising property prices, limited access to financing, and lack of information about housing programs.
“Through our collaboration with Pag-IBIG, we are ensuring that our teachers are prioritized in President Bongbong Marcos’ housing program.
Our goal is to make the process easier so they can have their own homes that are affordable and decent,” Angara said.
Pag-IBIG Fund CEO Marilene Acosta also expressed full support for the partnership.
According to her, the agency is focused on providing specialized lanes and dedicated counseling to ensure that teachers are well-informed about their benefits.
“At the Pag-IBIG Fund, we fully recognize the vital role of our teachers and education personnel in shaping the future of our country.
Our housing fairs are one of the concrete ways to implement President Marcos’ directive to bring quality and affordable housing closer to more Filipinos, particularly those in the education sector,” Acosta said.
“In partnership with DepEd, we are giving our teachers priority access and guidance from our Pag-IBIG personnel during the housing fairs, making it easier for them to find homes that are decent, affordable, and suited to their families’ needs,” she added.
Through the Pag-IBIG housing fairs, DepEd personnel can choose from low-cost housing units, receive on-site counseling on financing requirements and guidelines, and apply for loans while taking advantage of exclusive offers for government employees.
The first leg of the housing fairs will be held from April 27 to 28 at the Jose Rizal Coliseum in Calamba City, Laguna, and from April 30 to May 1 at the IEC Convention Center in Cebu City.
To ensure a smooth experience, registered employees will be issued a Pag-IBIG Loan Value Card, which speeds up evaluation at developer booths and allows for preliminary loan assessment.
Depending on the number of pre-registered participants, Pag-IBIG will also provide shuttle services to transport personnel to the housing fair sites for their convenience.
This initiative aims to replicate the success of employees like Maridel Ignacio, who acquired a home in Rizal province through the DepEd and Pag-IBIG special housing loan facility.
She availed of the DepEd housing project loan in 1996 and now lives in a community with fellow personnel.
In coordination with DHSUD, more than 20,000 housing units will be showcased at the fairs. Additional housing fairs will also be scheduled in Mindanao and Metro Manila to ensure wider reach of the program.
To address affordability concerns, Pag-IBIG has updated its list of products to offer more budget-friendly packages.
These include discounts of up to 45% on acquired assets, specialized group sales, and properties suited to teachers’ salary brackets.
By providing direct access to developers and logistical support, DepEd continues to prioritize the long-term security of its dedicated teachers and personnel across the country.
