HOUSING Secretary Eduardo del Rosario said members of the Home Mutual Development Fund or Pag-Ibig Fund belonging to the informal sector may avail of housing loans.

The Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) chief issued the statement when he visited Xevera Mabalacat subdivision in Mabalacat City, Pampanga for the one year anniversary celebration of Westchester Realty and Development Corporation in said township project.

Del Rosario was referring to members of the Pag-Ibig Fund who are not employed but have regular income.

These include professionals like doctors, engineers, lawyers, market vendors, taxi drivers, journalists, online workers and traders, among others.

Pag-Ibig Fund member’s housing loan applications are being disapproved due to lack of requirements, specifically the certificate of employment and payslip issued by employers.

Pag-Ibig Fund President Acmad Rizaldy P. Moti assured all members that they may avail of housing loans if they can show proof of their regular income and certification from their respective local government units (LGUs).

Del Rosario said Pagibig Fund is targeting 1.4 million houses to fill up the backlog for all members, including informal workers.

Private developers cater to formal sector and only 25 percent of the figure are serviced by the government.

Moti said borrowers must have show proof of their capacity to pay for their housing loans.

Del Rosario lauded the speedy development and rehabilitation of Xevera Mabalacat City township project being undertaken by Westchester Realty and Development Corporation.

During his visit, Del Rosario affirmed his agency’s commitment to Westchester Realty and to its qualified home buyers and borrowers in terms of quick processing of housing loans.

“A long time ago, this development project has started to set the pace in the development of affordable with complete amenities housing projects”. The new leadership acknowledges this that’s why we decided to pursue an otherwise model housing community”, Del Rosario added.

Westchester Realty Chair Rodolfo G. Valencia, former Mindoro governor and who is also developing and rehabilitating Xevera Bacolor and Sameera projects in Pampanga, vowed to deliver more housing units as part of his company’s commitment to Pag-Ibig Fund.

Valencia vowed to make Xevera Mabalacat, Xevera Bacolor and Sameera to be benchmarks of township projects in the province of Pampanga and other parts of the country.

"Westchester want township to be number 1 of all the community projects being developed by the government," said Valencia.

Mabalacat City Mayor Cris Garbo thanked Del Rosario and Valencia for the rehabilitation of the housing area which is expected to spur economic development and decrease the number of homeless residents of the city.