By Tracy Cabrera
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has earmarked ₱2.75 billion in emergency loans for its 109,047 active members and old-age and disability pensioners in areas affected by medical and natural calamities.
The provision for emergency loans was prompted by the recent outbreak of a crop pest, a surge in dengue cases and dry spell conditions caused by the El Niño in several areas across the country.
According to GSIS president and general manager Jose Arnulfo ‘Wick’ Veloso, the grant for loans underscores the GSIS’s continuing commitment to help its members and pensioners in areas placed under a state of calamity or public health emergency.
Veloso announced that they are providing immediate financial relief to help calamity-stricken members and pensioners rebuild their homes, repair damaged properties, support recovery from illnesses and restore their livelihoods.
Eligible to apply for the emergency loan are GSIS members in active service who are working or residing in the calamity-declared areas, are not on leave without pay, have no pending administrative or criminal case, have paid the required 3-month premium contributions within the prescribed six-month period, have no unpaid loans for more than six months, and have a net take-home pay of at least ₱5,000 after deducting all mandatory monthly obligations.
Old-age and disability pensioners residing in the affected areas may also avail themselves of the loan, provided that their resulting net monthly pension after loan availment is at least 25 percent of their basic monthly pension.
Members with an existing emergency loan balance may borrow up to ₱40,000, of which the outstanding balance of their previous emergency loan will be paid, while they may receive a maximum net amount of ₱20,000. Those without an existing emergency loan may apply for up to ₱20,000.
The emergency loan carries a 6 percent interest rate and is payable over three years. Monthly amortization is ₱655.56 for a ₱20,000 loan and ₱1,311.11 for a ₱40,000 loan. The loan also comes with a redemption insurance feature, under which the outstanding balance will be deemed fully paid in the event of the borrower’s death, provided that loan payments are up to date.
Applications may be submitted through the GSIS Touch mobile app. Loan proceeds will be credited directly to the borrower’s ATM account.
Deadline for application in Capiz is on November 13; in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Naga City on November 20; and in Agusan del Sur and Las Nieves in Agusan del Norte on November 28.
GSIS also continues to offer emergency loans in other calamity-affected areas. The filing deadline is on November 12 for Cavite and November 16 for Rodriguez, Rizal.
For more information, interested parties may visit the official GSIS website and social media channels.
For inquiries, email gsiscares@gsis.gov.ph or call the GSIS Contact Center at (02) 8847-4747 (Metro Manila) or 1-800-8-847-4747 (Globe and TM) or 1-800-10-847-4747 (Smart, Sun, and Talk ‘N Text).
