Responding to the president’s call to provide immediate assistance to the victims of the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that jolted Saranggani Davao Occidental and the rest of Regions 11 and 12, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has opened its emergency loan window starting today, November 21, for GSIS members and pensioners adversely affected by the earthquake.
“Binuksan agad natin ang emergency loan ng GSIS sa mga naapektuhan ng malakas na lindol upang maaga nating matugunan ang kanilang pangangailan. Ang agarang pagbibigay ng pampinansyal na suporta ay malaking bagay para sa kanilang pangangailangan sa pagkain, gamot o pangkukumpuni ng nasirang tahanan,” Veloso said.
A total of 171,341 members and 27,962 pensioners who are either working or residing in Regions 11 and 12 may apply for the emergency loan. The loan will be available to members and pensioners in the following areas: South Cotabato (including Koronadal City), Sultan Kudarat (including Tacurong City), Sarangani Province, General Santos City (including Kidapawan City); Davao Del Sur, Davao City, Digos City, Davao del Norte, Tagum City, Davao De Oro, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental (including Mati City).
“We have earmarked a total of P6 billion for our emergency loan budget this year. This is to ensure that we have an adequate amount of funds to assist those who need help after the earthquake,” Veloso said.
Old-age and disability pensioners residing in the calamity areas may also avail of the loan provided their net monthly pension after availing of the loan is at least 25% of their basic monthly pension.
Members with existing emergency loan balance may borrow up to Php40,000 to clear the balance of their previous emergency loan and receive a maximum net amount of Php20,000. Meanwhile, pensioners and those without existing emergency loan may apply for a Php20,000 loan.
The loan offers a low-interest rate of 6% and has a repayment period of three years. It also includes redemption insurance coverage, which will pay off the loan balance in case of the borrower’s death during the loan term, for as long as the payments are updated.
To qualify for the GSIS Emergency Loan Program, active members must be residing or working in the calamity areas. They should not be on unpaid leave, have no pending legal cases, have paid premiums within the last six months and their net take-home pay should not be lower than P5,000, the amount required under the General Appropriations Act after all monthly obligations are deducted.
Members and pensioners may apply for the loan using the GSIS Touch mobile application, which is available for download from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. They may also apply through the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosks, found in all GSIS offices, selected Robinson’s and SM supermalls, and large government offices such as the Department of Education.
For inquiries, visit the GSIS website (www.gsis.gov.ph) or Facebook page (@gsis.ph), email [email protected], or call the GSIS Contact Center at 8847-4747(if in Metro Manila) or 1-800-8-847-4747(for Globe and TM subscribers) or 1-800-10-847-4747 (for Smart, Sun, and Talk ’N Text subscribers).
