Amid the dengue outbreak in La Union and insect infestation in Negros Occidental, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has allocated ₱520.08 million in emergency loans to assist eligible active members and old-age and disability pensioners affected by separate emergencies in both provinces.
In a statement, GSIS president and general manager Jose Arnulfo ‘Wick’ Veloso cited that the emergency loans underscore GSIS’s continuing commitment to provide immediate financial relief to its members and pensioners in areas placed under a state of calamity, disaster or state of public health emergency.
Accordingly, eligible members and pensioners in Bagulin, La Union, where a state of public health emergency has been declared due to a dengue outbreak, may apply for the emergency loan until August 16.
On the other hand, eligible borrowers in the Province of Negros Occidental, which has been placed under a state of calamity due to the outbreak of the red-striped soft scale insect affecting sugarcane plantations, have until August 14 to submit their applications.
GM Veloso announced that in order to qualify, active members must be working or residing in the affected areas, have no unpaid GSIS loan for more than six (6) months, are not on unpaid leave, have paid at least three (3) months of premiums within the last six (6) months, have no pending administrative or criminal case, and must maintain a monthly take-home pay of at least ₱5,000 after deductions.
Old-age and disability pensioners residing in the affected areas may also apply, provided that at least 25 percent of their monthly pension remains after all loan deductions and that they have no unpaid emergency loan overdue by more than six (6) months.
“The loan is payable over 36 monthly installments at a fixed interest rate of six percent (6%) per annum. No processing or service fee is charged. Applications may be submitted through our GSIS Touch mobile app. Loan proceeds will be credited directly to the borrower’s ATM account,” Veloso disclosed.
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).