The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) urged depositors of the closed Silangan Savings and Loan Bank, Rural Bank of Reina Mercedes (Isabela), and Rural Bank of Montevista (Davao del Norte) to file their deposit insurance claims before the expiry period. The PDIC Charter (Republic Act 3591, As Amended) provides that depositors have until two years from bank closure to file their deposit insurance claims with the PDIC either through mail or personally during business hours at the PDIC Claims Counter, 4th Floor, SSS Bldg., 6782 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City. The PDIC reiterated that all valid claims will be paid.

In accordance with the provisions of the PDIC Charter, the last day for filing deposit insurance claims in the closed Silangan Savings and Loan Bank is on January 11, 2016; February 10, 2016 for Rural Bank of Reina Mercedes; and March 7, 2016 for Rural Bank of Montevista. PDIC made the call after it concluded the onsite claims settlement operations for the three closed banks more than six months ago.

The PDIC shall no longer accept any deposit insurance claims filed after the said dates. Depositors may, however, still file their claims against the closed banks through PDIC as liquidator. Payment of claims will depend on the sufficiency of the assets of the closed banks and shall be subject to the approval of the Liquidation Court.

Silangan Savings and Loan Bank, Rural Bank of Reina Mercedes and Rural Bank of Montevista were ordered closed by the Monetary Board (MB) and placed under PDIC receivership during the first quarter of 2014.

The PDIC reported that as of January 31, 2015, it had paid P67.8 million for Silangan Savings and Loan Bank, P59.3 million for Rural Bank of Reina Mercedes, and P176.9 million for Rural Bank of Montevista, or an aggregate of P304.0 million in deposit insurance claims to depositors of the three closed banks involving a total of 14,641 accounts. Estimated deposit insurance claims collectively amounting to P20.3 million for 9,294 accounts have not been filed by depositors of Silangan Savings and Loan Bank (47 accounts), Rural Bank of Reina Mercedes (170 accounts), and Rural Bank of Montevista (9,077 accounts).

Depositors of said closed banks are advised to present the general requirements for filing deposit insurance claims, such as their accomplished Claim Forms, original evidence of deposit and two (2) valid photo-bearing IDs with signature of the depositor, to the PDIC representatives. Depositors may also file their claims through mail and enclose the same set of required documents. The PDIC will not accept claims which are incomplete or lacking in requirements.

The PDIC also reminded depositors who have been notified of deficiencies in the documents submitted to support their deposit insurance claims to comply with the requirements to facilitate release of their claims.

In addition to the general requirements, depositors who are below 18 years old should submit either a photocopy of their Birth Certificate issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or a duly certified copy issued by the Local Civil Registrar. Claimants who are not the signatories in the bank records are required to submit an original copy of a notarized Special Power of Attorney of the depositor or parent of a minor depositor.

The procedures and requirements for the filing of deposit insurance claims are posted in the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph.. The Claim Form and format of the Special Power of Attorney may also be downloaded from the PDIC website.

For more information, depositors may contact the Public Assistance Department at telephone numbers (02) 841-4630 to 31, or e-mail at pad@pdic.gov.ph.. Depositors outside Metro Manila may call the PDIC toll free at 1-800-1-888-PDIC or 1-800-1-888-7342.

* * * * *