MANILA, Philippines -- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said Tuesday it has opened a fast-track calamity loan facility for the families of active OWWA members affected by tropical storm Ondoy.

In a statement, OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon said the calamity loan is in the amount P10,000 per qualified borrower, with no interest. The loan is repayable in 24 monthly installments with a grace period of 120 days from release of the money.

"This is OWWA's response to the urgent need of its members, when many households are suffering in the wake of widespread destruction brought by Ondoy," she added, noting that many OFW family members were among those rendered homeless or suffered deaths in the flooding.

According to Dimzon, "a large number" of OFW families, especially those residing in towns and cities declared as calamity areas by the National Disaster Coordinating Council in Metro Manila, the province of Rizal and Central Luzon, are still in evacuation centers.

OWWA welfare offices and staff in the affected regions have been instructed to process quickly the loans for early approval and release.

Dimzon said requirements are the following: active OWWA membership, certification from the local government unit that applicant was affected by "Ondoy," and a promissory note or affidavit of undertaking to repay the loan.

Interested applicants may visit the nearest OWWA regional office or get in touch with the OWWA Operations Center at 0917-8986992 (TXTOWWA), or 5511560.