In response to the challenges posed heavy rain and water supply problems in Zamboanga City, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) unveiled an emergency loan program for its members and pensioners.
In a statement, the pension fund for government workers announced that it has allocated P705.36 million for the emergency loan program, which is accessible to more than 23,872 members and 5,208 pensioners.
The borrowing allocation is said to be enough to sustain aid for members affected by heavy rain and low water supply. With this, applicants with existing loans may borrow up to P40,000 to minimize their balance and have a limited net amount of P20,000.
Subsequently, those without prior emergency loans may borrow up to a maximum of P20,000.
The three-year loan term will have a six percent interest rate with redemption insurance coverage, which would pay off any loan balance in case of death.
GSIS Emergency Loan is open to active members who are not on unpaid leave, have no pending legal cases, and have settled their six months premium. Additionally, their net take-home pay must not be lower than P5,000 according to the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Furthermore, GSIS emphasized that Zamboanga old-age and disability pensioners in the area of calamity must have a net monthly pension of 25 percent.
Applicants may inquire via the GSIS Touch mobile application. The deadline for applications is until Thursday, April 25.
Meanwhile, GSIS will release the pension payments ahead of time for old-age, disabled persons, and survivorship pensioners.
Pensions are said to be released today, April 6 because of the Day of Valor and Eid’l Fitr happening on April 9 and 10.
The GSIS explained that they usually issue out the social security payments on the eighth of every month, but because of the two consecutive holidays proclaimed by the Malacañang, the members may receive their payments early.
GSIS president and general manager Wick Veloso stated, “We are prioritizing the release of the pension payments this April as we join the nation in the observance of the holidays.”
Nearly half a million GSIS pensioners will receive a total allocation of P8 billion for their monthly pension.
Pensions can be electronically credited through the unified multipurpose identification (UMID) card or their electronic card (eCard) at the Land Bank of the Philippines or UnionBank of the Philippines.
Cash withdrawal will be made available, however, the state-run pension fund stated that they can transact online via GSIS Touch Mobile during the holidays.
Moreover, pensioners can also access their Annual Pensioners’ Information Revalidation (APIR) through the app.