Members and pensioners of the Social Security System (SSS) affected by the recent earthquake that struck Abra and nearby areas may now avail of the calamity assistance package.
In a statement on Thursday, Aug. 18, Michael G. Regino, SSS president and chief executive officer, said that members and pensioners who were affected by the Magnitude 7.0 earthquake may avail of the calamity loan until Nov. 14, 2022.
The calamity assistance package consists of members’ calamity loan assistance program (CLAP) and the three-month advance pension for pensioners in earthquake-stricken areas in Abra and Mountain Province.
In Mountain Province, towns that are under the state of calamity include Bauko and Besao, while in Abra, these areas are Bangued, Boliney, Bucay, Bucloc, Daguioman, Danglas, Dolores, Lacub, Lagangilang, Lagayan,cand Langiden.
Other areas in Abra are La Paz, Licuan, Luba, Malicbong, Manabo, Penarrubia, Pidigan, Pilar, Sallapadan, San Isidro, San Juan, San Quintin, Tayum, Tineg, Tubo, and Villaviciosa.
Regino said members and pensioners residing in other earthquake-affected areas could be declared under a state of calamity by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) or the Sangguniang Bayan, Panlunsod, or Panlalawigan can also avail of the said assistance package.
Under the CLAP, qualified members can avail of a loan equivalent to their one month salary credit (MSC) computed based on the average of their last 12 MSCs or the amount they applied for, whichever is lower.
Interested members can apply for the calamity loan online through their respective My.SSS account.
Meanwhile, the Three-month Advance Pension is open to retirement, disability, and survivor pensioners.
To qualify, interested pensioners must be residents of the earthquake-stricken areas declared under the state of calamity.
However, retirement pensioners who have existing loans under the Pension Loan Program (PLP) cannot avail of the three-month advance pension.
“Through this SSS Calamity Assistance Package, we can offer immediate financial aid to our members and pensioners as they try to recover from the effects of the recent earthquake,” Regino said.