July 21, 2009. Muntinlupa City. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the Ground-breaking Ceremony for the Government Employees Housing Project at the 41-hectare New Bilibid Prison Reservation in Muntinlupa City.

    The affair was attended by Vice President Noli de Castro, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin San Pedro, Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon, co authors in both chambers, several members of the House of Representatives, officials of the local government, executives of the NHA, HDCC, NDC, OP, DENR, DOJ and the BuCor. The 41 hectares will be the site of the government housing project intended for the employees of the Office of the President, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Justice / Bureau of Corrections.

    There are two contractors who will build the model houses - the RII Builders and BAQUE. The houses and the lots to be awarded to the employees, who will be properly screened by the Beneficiary Committee, and will fall under the usufruct scheme.

    Earlier, PGMA signed into law Republic Act 9679 also known as the Pag-ibig Fund Law of 2009 which Strengthens the Home Development Mutual Fund.

    The new law, which repeals Presidential Decree 1752 that created the institution in 1980 and integrates all other laws relating to the created the institution in 1980 and integrates all other laws relating to the agency, grants Pag-ibig Fund with more muscle to perform its housing and provident finance mandates. Among the salient features of the new law are:

    Matching mandatory contributions of government and private employees and other earning groups with housing as primary investment.

    Covered employees and employers shall contribute to the fund on a new scheme based on one’s earning to wit: those earning not more than P1,500 - 1%; more than P1,500 per month, 2% and all employers, 2% of monthly compensation of all covered employees.

    The maximum monthly compensation to be used in computing employee and employer contributions shall be P5,000.

    The membership term in the Fund shall be for 20 years except when earlier terminated due to retirement, disability, insanity, death, departure from the country or other causes as may be provided by the Board of Trustees.

    A member of good standing shall be eligible to apply for housing loans under such terms and conditions authorized by the Board of Trustees, taking into account their ability to pay. (Bobot Diaz, Jhun Gonzales The Philippine Corrections Journal).