Philippine Property News Roundup: More Pag-IBIG Financing Options and OFW Financial Protections

For Filipinos abroad planning or managing a home purchase back home, this week brings welcome news on two fronts: easier access to government housing loans, and new protections for the money you send home to fund it.

RLC expands Pag-IBIG financing to more residential projects

Robinsons Land Corp. has signed an agreement with Pag-IBIG Fund to open up accreditation for Pag-IBIG housing loans across more of its RLC Residences developments. Three projects are already accredited, with six more in the pipeline, meaning OFWs and overseas-based buyers will soon have a wider pool of eligible condo and housing options to finance through Pag-IBIG. This comes alongside Pag-IBIG's recent increase in its loan ceiling to P10 million (up from P6 million), with married couples who are both members potentially able to borrow up to P20 million combined — a significant boost for dual-income OFW households eyeing bigger units or better locations. According to BusinessWorld, the move is meant to broaden financing access for RLC's residential buyers.

Speaker Dy hails approval of OFW financial education bill

House Speaker Faustino Dy III has praised the passage of a bill that would give OFWs and their families free financial education, aimed at helping them manage money for children's education, household expenses, and eventual return to the Philippines. Dy noted overseas workers often need guidance stretching remittances across competing priorities. The measure is also framed as a safeguard against debt traps and scams that can derail savings meant for things like future home purchases — a timely complement to expanded financing options like Pag-IBIG's. According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the bill now moves forward after securing approval.