GSIS allots P4.9B in loans for Typhoon ‘Nina’ survivors

Active members and pensioners of state-run pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in seven provinces in Southern Luzon who were affected by the onslaught of Typhoon “Nina” (international name: Nock-Ten) in December may apply for emergency loans until February.

In a statement on Tuesday, the GSIS said it set aside P4.9 billion in loans for old-age pensioners as well as members living or working in the provinces of Albay, Batangas, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Marinduque, Quezon and six local governments in Oriental Mindoro.

It said 7,952 active members and 820 old-age pensioners in Calapan City and the towns of Naujan, Baco, San Teodoro, Pola and Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro may avail of the loan until Feb. 17.

Those working or living in Batangas, Marinduque and Quezon may apply for the loan until Feb. 9 while application deadline for those in Albay, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes is on Feb. 2, the GSIS said.

Members who have no existing emergency loans may borrow P20,000, while those who have emergency loan balance may apply for P40,000.

Qualified to avail of emergency loans are active members who have no unpaid loans for over six months, no arrears in paying the mandatory monthly premium contributions, and are not on a leave of absence without pay.

As for pensioners, those who remain active members after reentering government service could avail of the emergency loan only once.

The loanable amount for old-age pensioners is P20,000. —BEN O. DE VERA