The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) set aside over P5.4 billion in emergency loan for its more than 224,000 active members and old-age and disability pensioners in the provinces of Cebu and Davao Oriental due to the magnitude 6.9 and 7.4 earthquakes, respectively; provinces of Masbate, Oriental Mindoro, and Romblon hit by typhoon Opong; the provinces of Cagayan and Ilocos Norte and city of Dagupan hit by super typhoon Nando; and the municipality of Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur due to floods.
“GSIS remains steadfast in its mission to care for government workers and retirees, especially in times of crisis. We are here to help our members and pensioners recover and rebuild,” GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso said in a press release.
To quickly respond to their needs, GSIS relaxed the requirements for granting emergency loans. It now opens the application window once the local sanggunian declares a state of calamity upon the recommendation of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Eligible to apply are active members working or residing in the affected areas provided they have no due and demandable GSIS loan, are not on unpaid leave, have paid premiums in the last six months, have no pending administrative or criminal case, and have a monthly take-home pay of at least P5,000 after deductions.
Old-age and disability pensioners may also apply, provided they retain at least 25 percent of their monthly pension after loan deduction.
Those with current emergency loans may borrow up to P40,000 to settle previous loan balances, ensuring a maximum net amount of P20,000. Those without any outstanding emergency loan may apply for a P20,000 loan.
They may apply for the loan anytime, anywhere via the GSIS Touch mobile app.
Deadline for application in Masbate is on October 29; for Oriental Mindoro and Romblon, October 31; in Cagayan and Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte on November 1; in Dagupan City and Ilocos Norte (except Pagudpud) on November 6; in Cebu on November 30; and in Davao Oriental and Buluan in Maguindanao del Sur on December 14.
The emergency loan is payable in 36 equal monthly installments at 6 percent interest rate per annum. It is covered by a loan redemption insurance, which deems the loan fully paid in case of demise of the borrower, provided that loan payment is up to date.*
