SSS members in Paeng state of calamity areas can get calamity loan starting Nov. 17

ALL GONE What used to be the housing relocation site of the indigenous Teduray community in Sitio Tinabon, Barangay Kusiong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, is now an open field of thick mud and boulders which came down from Mt. Minandar, where the landslide originated following torrential rains spawned by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.
(international name: Nalgae) on Oct. 27. —PHOTO COURTESY OF DXMS STATION MANAGER DREMA Q.BRAVO

MANILA, Philippines — Social Security System (SSS) members and pensioners who live in areas placed under a state of calamity due to Severe Tropical Storm Paeng can start availing of the Calamity Loan Assistance Program (CLAP) starting Thursday, November 17.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Regino said that members in the said areas can avail of the  CLAP for its members while pensioners can get a Three-Month Advance Pension.

Qualified members living in Paeng-hit areas can get a loan equivalent to their one monthly salary credit, or a maximum of up to P20,000 — which will be payable in 24 months or two years with an annual interest rate of 10%.

Members can avail of the calamity loan until February 16, 2023.

“We, at SSS, are always ready to assist our members and pensioners in the typhoon-stricken areas. We want to assure them that even during times of calamities, they can rely on the financial assistance from SSS,” Regino said in a statement.

“We want to help our members and pensioners during these difficult times. We hope that the financial aid that we extended to them will be of big help to rebuild their lives,” he added.

Regino reiterated that only members and pensioners in the areas declared under a state of calamity by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panglungsod, or Sangguniang Panlalawigan could avail of measures offered by SSS.

READ: State of calamity declared over Calabarzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, BARMM due to Paeng 

Covered are the provinces of:
Cavite
Laguna
Batangas
Rizal
Quezon
Albay
Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur
Sorsogon
Catanduanes
Masbate
Aklan
Antique
Capiz
Guimaras
Iloilo
Negros Occidental
Basilan
Lanao del Sur
Tawi-Tawi
Sulu
Maguindanao del Norte
Maguindanao del Sur

The following towns in these provinces may also avail of the offers:

Cagayan: Amulung, Enrile, and Tuguegarao
Marinduque: Mogpog, Santa Cruz and Buenavista
Cotabato: Pigcawayan, Libungan, and Midsayap
Muntinlupa City
Calbayog in Samar
Sirawai in Zamboanga del Norte
Zamboanga City in Zamboanga del Sur

Latest reports said Paeng, which swept through the Bicol Region before moving along Southern Luzon, Metro Manila, and then Central Luzon, leftover 120 dead.  Damage to infrastructure was also pegged at over P4.5 billion according to NDRRMC.

READ: Death toll from Paeng rises to 121; affected individuals now over 3 million 

READ: Infrastructure damage due to Paeng exceeds P4.5 billion — NDRRMC 

Meanwhile, Regino also reminded SSS members and pensioners in areas affected by Super Typhoon Karding that they still have until January 6, 2023 to avail of the CLAP and the Three-Month Advance Pension. With reports from Trisha Manalaysay, trainee

/MUF/abc