Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth to raise mandatory contributions in 2024 By GMA Integrated News

The Pag-IBIG Fund is currently awaiting approval from Malacañang to implement an increase in monthly contributions from their members according to a 24 Oras report by Mark Salazar on Thursday. Pag-IBIG intends to raise the mandatory contributions from P100 to P200. The government owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) said the new increase would bring over P38 billion to the fund, making way for an additional P1 Million in housing loans without increasing interest rates. In response, minimum wage workers protested this development. Medyo mabigat sa ano namin sa bulsa kasi ang sahod namin ngayon medyo mababa naman di ba,” said security guard Mar. (It’s going to take a toll on our pocket since our salary is already low to begin with.) “Makakaapekto siya pero dapat marunong tayo mag adapt sa sitwasyon natin. Kung kailangan ng financial kailangan magbawas ng gastusin natin pagdating ng araw makeclaim naman natin siya,” added fast food employee Jun Cervantes. (It will affect us but we will have to learn to adapt to the situation if needed. We need to lessen our expenses and when the time comes we can claim it.) The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) also expressed support for the increase, stating the additional cost is an “investment”. “’Yan ay investment, parang forced savings yan. Kumikita pa ng interes, so hindi mabigat para sa amin yan para sa mga worker namin. Kaya very readily pumayag kami,” said ECOP President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. (We consider that an investment. like forced savings. And it earns interest, so it's not that heavy a cost for us for the sake of our workers. That is why we readily agreed.) Other workers ask that the increased contribution should be accompanied by a salary raise and not coincide with other mandatory contributions and salary deductions. Meanwhile, PhilHealth is also aiming for a 5% increase in mandatory contributions for the year and is awaiting approval from the Malacañang. According to the GOCC, the move will allow for more health benefits for its members. “Una, meron tayong benefit package para sa magpapagamot ng tuberculosis using DOTS P4,000 yan. Yung mga nakagat ng stray animals meron tayong animal bite treatment package P3,000 yan at sa pasyente ng HIV-AIDS meron tayong outpatient treatment package at yan ay sa kabuuang P30,000 kada taon,” said PhilHealth Acting Vice President for Corporate Affairs Rey Balena.—Jiselle Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News

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