Here in Manila, to get government records relating to you, oftentimes you need to visit their branch offices and manually request for those records. Pag-IBIG’s Loyalty Card Plus and Virtual Pag-IBIG features allow you to do exactly those things easier online.
Applying for the Loyalty Card Plus
Pag-IBIG made it really easy to get your own Loyalty Card Plus! They have a handy guide on their website that gives a five-step list to get it:
- Have your Membership Identification (MID) Number validated by a Pag-IBIG Fund personnel.
- Fill-out the Loyalty Card Plus Application Form and pay the corresponding card fee of P125 only to the Bank Personnel.
- Have your picture taken and fingerprints scanned, then sign on the digital tablet.
- Validate your information as shown on the computer monitor.
- Claim your Pag-IBIG Loyalty Card Plus together with PIN Mailer from the Bank personnel.
Setting out for the Pag-IBIG Branch
I set out for the Pag-IBIG Shaw Boulevard branch office in Pasig City. Thankfully, despite the presence of a lot of people inside their second floor office, they have the efficiency of a bank with queuing system.
Upon entrance, I asked the front desk officer where I should go to apply for the Pag-IBIG Loyalty Card Plus. He took my details from an ID I provided, and he promptly directed me to one of the counters and wait until my name is called.
When my turn came, I showed the staff my ID (as well as my old Loyalty Card). After verification of my recent Pag-IBIG contributions, she gave me an application form so I can provide all the necessary details. There’s a queue (seated, don’t worry!) where the applicants are waiting before their turn came for the biometrics and photo capture for the new Loyalty Card Plus.
The Pag-IBIG Loyalty Card Plus costs ₱ 125, equipped with even more features than the old Loyalty Card! After paying for the card, the bank staff provided me the new card as well as the “PIN mailer” — a small piece of paper securely storing the initial PIN of the card. This is so you can use the card to inquire and withdraw funds at any Bancnet ATM in the Philippines. Make sure you don’t forget these two!!
All in all, it took me less than two hours from application to getting my Loyalty Card Plus!
Gaining Access to Virtual Pag-IBIG
Soon after I have been handed by card and PIN mailer, I received an SMS from both Asia United Bank (AUB) and Pag-IBIG. The first SMS welcomed me to Hello Pag-IBIG and the associated account number, while the second one asks me to verify my identity via the link that was sent. (Related post: First Look at the Hello Pag-IBIG app)
I clicked on the link to verify my mobile number. Some of you might be worried if this is a phishing scheme (and good if you are aware!). At least, be aware of the context that makes this legitimate — the immediate arrival of the SMS just after finalizing your card. That’s one thing. And the other is to check the URL that it requests you to click — it should direct you to Pag-IBIG’s official website, and not some place else.
Let’s sign up!
Once verified, you may now sign up for a Virtual Pag-IBIG account. Signing up for one provides a lot of benefits. It allows you to view all your Pag-IBIG contributions ever since you started to work, and if you are investing in their MP2 Program, you can likewise view all the transactions you have made. Loan details are also made available there. With these kinds of features now available online, who wouldn’t want to have a Loyalty Card Plus? I definitely will be able to save a lot of time checking my contributions if I just do these online instead of having to line up.
Do note that Virtual Pag-IBIG is still in beta (at the time I was writing this blog). However, I’ve seen that it’s functional enough for your Pag-IBIG needs. Just be aware of some hiccups from time-to-time.
UPDATE: Virtual Pag-IBIG has been LAUNCHED last 12 December! It’s now on version 1.0, signifying that it is now stable for use by the general public! 😀
Click on Create Account, and then create profile using your Loyalty Card Plus, so make sure that you have your card ready. Aside from the card number, you will also need your Pag-IBIG MID number, as well as identify the partner bank (which, at the time of this blog’s posting, is only either AUB or Unionbank).
Fill out the details and submit the registration form.
Once successful, a temporary password will be emailed to you which you can finally use to login to Virtual Pag-IBIG!
Virtual Pag-IBIG Features
This is where Pag-IBIG online advantages shine! Right off the bat, Virtual Pag-IBIG offers the following features for record viewing:
- Regular Savings (Mandatory contributions)
- MP2 Savings (Voluntary Savings)
- Housing Loan
- Multi-Purpose Loan
- Calamity Loan
- Loyalty Card Plus Balance & Transaction History
They have quite a clean and simple layout, so it’s not confusing at all to navigate to what you need. I was also pleasantly surprised that they even have an online payment facility for all of the above! They accept Visa, Mastercard, and JCB credit cards. There’s a 1.75% convenience fee applied on top of your payment. (Related: How to Add Fund to your Pag-IBIG MP2 Account)
Inquiring for your Loyalty Card Plus Balance
The last item in the menu listed in the previous section indicated “Loyalty Card Plus”. As a cash card, your Loyalty Card Plus can have some account balance in Philippine peso currency. This section allows you to view your balances and transaction history from the corresponding bank (either AUB or Unionbank as of posting).
Clicking on it allows you to link your Loyalty Card Plus account. If you haven’t already, you may link one.
Once successful, you may now view both your card balance as well as the transaction history.
Closing
Pag-IBIG joins the ranks of other Philippine government institutions going digital. This is being done to make it comfortable to Filipinos by giving them a choice to inquire for their valued contributions online. Virtual Pag-IBIG serves like a virtual branch with features that can cater to a member’s needs 24/7. Paired with the new Loyalty Card Plus, Pag-IBIG members will now have an easier experience with their savings.
I don’t understand this. How would you know which bank to choose between AUB and Unionbank to be tied in to the Pagibig Loyalty Card plus?
Hi Gabe, good question. Pag-IBIG branches offer their Loyalty Card Plus tied to either AUB or Unionbank. If you have a preference between the two banks, it might be good to call the branch first. 🙂
i forgot my loyalty card plus pin number.
If you contact your bank which is tied to that Loyalty Card Plus (either AUB or Unionbank), they might be able to help you. Moreover, if you try the Hello Pag-IBIG app, there’s a way to easily change the PIN in there!
hi, does my Pag-IBIG MID NO. will change once updated/upgraded to Loyalty Card Plus?.
Hi MySilverStory! The MID number stays the same. What changes is your Loyalty Card card number.
In fact, when you get your own Loyalty Card Plus, you will end up with two Loyalty card numbers — the old one (Loyalty Card) and the new one (Loyalty Card Plus). I didn’t dispose the original Loyalty Card because for one, it’s still the card which Puregold looks for when I need to earn points there. Sayang din eh. 🙂
Hi I just want to ask the lead time of card release when a Pag-ibig representative put up a kiosk in our company. About 60 employees as card applicants.
Hi Denise! You may want to contact Pag-IBIG directly (branches and/or their partner banks, AUB / Unionbank) for this arrangement. We had this kind of activity in the office earlier this year and the LC+ cards were issued on the spot. 🙂
Hi, I lost my AUB confirmation with account number. Is there other way to retrieve my account number?
Hi Jazz! It might help if you contact Pag-IBIG or AUB Hello Pag-IBIG regarding this.
If you however have already been able to create an account and login to the Hello Pag-IBIG app, it can show you the associated AUB account number within the app. 🙂
Hello, I lost my PIN mailer and I cannot able to activate my loyalty card plus. What should I do?
Hi Sweet! Contacting the respective bank that issued your Loyalty Card Plus might help and suggest what to do with a lost PIN mailer.
If it’s AUB that issued your card though, you may want to just download the Hello Pag-IBIG app — there’s a way to change the PIN there (as well as un/block the card). In fact, I never used my PIN mailer, ever! I just changed the PIN there via the app. 🙂
MY LOYALTY CARD IS NEW .. CAN I CHANGE THE PIN MAILER ONLINE ?
Hello Jhay. If you want to change your PIN online, it is possible via the Hello Pag-IBIG app (if the card was issued by AUB).
IS LOYALTY CARD PLUS READY TO USE? OR DOES IT NEEDS ACTIVATION FIRTS? IF YES, HOW?