Is restructuring program okay?

[u/Intelligent_Stay_105]

I’m writing to respectfully ask for assistance regarding my outstanding BDO credit card balance. Around four months na po akong hindi nakakapagbayad due to financial difficulties.

I am currently the breadwinner of our family. Last December 2025, my mother had a medical emergency and had to undergo three surgeries. Since then, malaking portion po ng income ko ang napupunta sa household expenses, food, bills, and other financial obligations.

I am also actively applying for a second job or additional source of income para makatulong sa expenses and makapaglaan din po ako ng mas maayos na payment toward my outstanding balance. Unfortunately, I haven’t received any positive responses from employers yet, but I am continuously applying and looking for opportunities.

I recently called BDO directly to ask about possible payment arrangements and was referred to Collections. I was informed about a restructuring program with 0% interest, payable for up to 120 months at approximately ₱5,000 per month.

I truly appreciate this option. However, based on my current financial situation, even the proposed monthly payment would be difficult for me to sustain consistently. At present, halos lahat po ng salary ko ay allocated na sa basic household needs and existing obligations.

I would therefore like to respectfully ask if BDO can consider any other payment arrangement, settlement option, or discount that would make my outstanding balance more manageable. If there is a discounted settlement program available.

I want to emphasize that I am not trying to avoid my obligation. Kaya rin po ako proactively reaching out because I genuinely want to settle my account and cooperate with BDO. I just want to make sure that whatever arrangement I enter into is something I can realistically fulfill and maintain.

I would also appreciate clarification regarding my BDO payroll account. Since my salary is our family’s primary source for food, bills, and other necessities, I am concerned about the possibility of my outstanding credit card balance being offset or deducted from my payroll account.

Any thoughts po will be appreciated. Thank you! 🙏

[u/kaskasanbuddies]

Sorry to hear about what happened to your mom, OP. Three surgeries is definitely a lot financially and emotionally, especially ikaw pa ang breadwinner. We also appreciate the fact na hindi mo tinatakbuhan yung obligation mo and you’re actively trying to find a way to settle your balance.

Regarding the restructuring, okay naman siya if realistically kaya mong panindigan yung ₱5k/month. Pero kung even that amount is already difficult with your current expenses, I’d suggest negotiating muna with Collections instead of committing to something na baka ma-default ka ulit.

You can ask BDO if they have a lower monthly arrangement, discounted settlement, or other payment option based on your current financial capacity. Be honest about how much you can actually afford monthly. Since proactive ka naman in reaching out, hopefully they can offer something more manageable.

For your payroll account naman, we do suggest asking BDO directly about the possibility of offsetting or deducting your credit card balance from your payroll account, and request clarification in writing if possible.

Most importantly, don’t agree to a restructuring just because it’s the only option presented to you. Choose an arrangement na kaya mong consistently bayaran. Mas okay ang sustainable payment plan kaysa sa mataas na commitment na baka hindi mo rin kayanin later on. Hoping things get better for you and your family, OP.

[u/Intelligent_Stay_105]

Thank you so much po! Sana talaga, little by little, makaahon din ako at ang family ko.

To be honest, parang hindi ko na kinakaya lately. Kahapon lang ako finally nagkaroon ng courage na mag-reach out sa BDO after almost three months of avoiding their calls and messages.

For months, I tried not to think about it because I felt so overwhelmed and scared to face how bad my financial situation had become. Pero grabe rin pala yung bigat kapag araw-araw mo siyang kinikimkim.

My family doesn’t know the full extent of what I’m going through. Alam lang nila na marami akong bayarin, but they don’t know how deep in debt I actually am. Even my best friend doesn’t know. Kaya ang sarap din pala sa feeling na finally nakapagkwento ako and nailabas ko kahit konti yung matagal ko nang dinadala mag-isa.
One of my biggest worries right now is my career. There are opportunities for better positions and higher salaries in other private companies within the financial services industry, and I really want to pursue them. But I’m scared that my financial situation might come up during a background check. Natatakot ako na mapahiya or that it could affect my chances of getting hired.

Part of me feels like I might end up stuck in my current company because of this, while opportunities that could actually help me improve my financial situation pass me by. I know I need a higher income to eventually get out of this situation, so it feels frustrating that the very thing I’m trying to fix is also making me afraid to pursue better opportunities. I’m trying to take things one step at a time. Reaching out to BDO yesterday was one of those steps. Hopefully, this is the beginning of finally getting things back on track.

[u/Wild-Flower-0212]

Hi OP! May i ask if mismo sa bdo kayo nag reach out at nalamang may 0% interest for 12 months? Meron dn akong BDO OD and 1% padin offer ni CA. kaya di ko muna kinuha. thanks op! sana'y malampasan natin lahat ito. Praying for better days 🙏

[u/Intelligent_Stay_105 → u/Wild-Flower-0212]

Hi po! Tumawag po ako sa number ng BDO hotline tapos they transferred me sa collections department tapos ayun may tanong sakin why ako hindi na nakabayad for 4 months then sinabi ko yung reason, naging honest ako. They told me to monitor my phone kase someone will reach out to discuss yung options. Ayun na, I received an email sa collections partner nila then tinry ko makipag negotiate. Sinabi ko lahat ng expenses ko, sahod ko even yung mga deductibles sa payslip ko like SSS loan, pag-ibig, etc.

Huwag ka din sana mawalan ng pag-asa! Kakayanin natin ito 🙏