GSIS to launch emergency loan plan for members, pensioners in quake-hit Abra

The GSIS Complex in Pasay (Photo from the GSIS Facebook account)

MANILA, Philippines — The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) will open on Friday an emergency loan program for its members and pensioners in Abra who were affected by the recent magnitude 7.0 quake.

About 7,000 members in the earthquake-hit province may avail of the loan until September 4, according to the GSIS.

“The loan program is in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s appeal to ensure that those who need help will receive assistance from the government,” the GSIS said in a statement on Thursday.

READ: Earthquake-battered Abra placed under ‘state of calamity’

It further detailed that those with existing emergency loans may borrow up to P40,000 while pensioners and other members without emergency loans may get up to P20,000.

The loan will be directly credited on the borrower’s Unified Multi-Purpose Identification card or any temporary eCard Plus account, the GSIS added.

READ: SSS, GSIS calamity loans to be activated in Abra to aid quake victims

Earthquake-affected active GSIS members who are not on leave of absence without pay are eligible to apply for the loan. Old-age and disability pensioners in Abra are likewise considered for the loan program, according to the agency.

The GSIS then noted that it still needs to wait for other areas in Northern Luzon to declare a state of calamity before it could open a loan program in these areas.

“The other provinces in North Luzon have yet to be declared as calamity areas, but GSIS is ready to open the emergency loan program once the declaration has been done,” GSIS president and general manager Wick Veloso said.

KGA