More than 21,000 government workers and pensioners affected by a dengue outbreak in La Union and a sugarcane pest infestation in Negros Occidental may tap PHP520.08 million in emergency loans from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
In a news release on Wednesday, the GSIS said 21,153 eligible active members and old-age and disability pensioners could apply for financial assistance following separate emergency declarations in the two areas.
“The emergency loan underscores 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,” the agency said.
Borrowers in Bagulin, La Union, which declared a state of public health emergency due to a dengue outbreak, may submit applications until Aug. 16.
Those in Negros Occidental have until Aug. 14 to apply after the province was placed under a state of calamity due to an outbreak of red-striped soft scale insects affecting sugarcane plantations.
“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,” the GSIS said.
Active members must work or reside in the affected locality, have paid at least three months of premiums within the past six months, and maintain a monthly take-home pay of at least PHP5,000 after deductions.
They must also have no loan overdue for more than six months, no pending administrative or criminal case, and must not be on leave without pay.
Qualified pensioners must reside in the affected areas, retain at least 25 percent of their monthly pension after loan deductions, and have no emergency loan overdue for more than six months.
Applications may be filed through the GSIS Touch mobile application, with approved proceeds credited directly to the borrower’s automated teller machine account.*PNA
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