The Social Security System (SSS) will offer a calamity assistance package to members and pensioners affected by Typhoon "Odette" starting Jan. 14.
In a statement, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Igancio said the package consists of the Calamity Loan Assistance Program (CLAP) and the Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan for members, and the three-month advance pension for pensioners in areas affected by Typhoon "Odette."
“It is unfortunate that the recent typhoon affected the daily lives and livelihood of our members and pensioners in these several areas. Through the SSS Calamity Assistance Package, we can extend financial aid to our members and pensioners as they try to recover from the effects of Typhoon Odette," Ignacio said.
Members and pensioners in Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan (MIMAROPA), Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga, as well as other areas that may be declared by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to be under the state of calamity due to typhoon, can avail of the SSS Calamity Assistance Package.
SSS will offer the CLAP for its members and the three-month Advance Pension to its pensioners until April 13.
Under the CLAP, qualified members can avail of a loan amount equivalent to one-month salary credit (MSC) computed based on the average of their last 12 monthly salary credits (MSCs). The loan is payable for two years.
Meanwhile, qualified SSS members whose houses were damaged or destroyed due to Typhoon "Odette" may apply for the Direct House Repair and/or Improvement Loan. Under this, they can borrow a maximum loanable amount of up to P1 million.
Ignacio said the state pension fund allotted P2.18 billion for the implementation of the Calamity Assistance Package, which is expected to benefit 236,509 active members and pensioners in "Odette"-hit areas.