Deadlines set to file claims against "bankrupt" banks

CEBU, Philippines – The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) is now urging the depositors of banks that declared bankruptcy to file their claims for insurance the soonest possible time.

PDIC Senior Vice President Sandra A. Diaz said the depositors of Pilipino Rural Bank (Argao Cebu) Inc. are required to file their claims not later than December 13.

Meanwhile, the depositors of Bank of East Asia's Banco Rural de Bisayas in Minglanilla and the Philippine Countryside Rural Bank (Cebu) Inc. will be on December 15.

Diaz said the depositors of Rural Bank of Carmen (Cebu) Inc. are also required to submit their claims not later than December 22, while those of Rural Bank of Subangdaku (Cebu) Inc. on January 10 next year.

According to Diaz all claims for insured deposits maintained with the above banks shall no longer be accepted by the PDIC if submitted beyond these dates.

Diaz explained that claims filed after the prescriptive date shall be a claim against the assets of the closed bank upon liquidation.

The PDIC has set up Regional Claims Receiving Centers for Luzon, Visayas, Metro Manila and Mindanao.

Claimants from Cebu may file their claims at the bank premises of the Philippine Countryside Rural Bank at M.L. Quezon Highway, barangay Pajo in Lapu-Lapu City.

Should the depositors fail to file claims in any of the receiving centers during the abovementioned dates, Diaz said they may still file claims directly at the PDIC office in Makati City, but must be within the prescriptive dates.

The PDIC requested the respective mayors of affected places to inform their constituents about the deadlines so they can get their insurance claims. (FREEMAN)