GSIS COMPLEX, Pasay City — More than ₱500 million has been allocated by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to fund its emergency loan program that would benefit some 23,469 active members and old-age/disability pensioners residing or working in the provinces of Quirino, Apayao, and Aurora as well as Santiago City and Cabagan town in Isabela.

These provinces and areas in Isabela were declared under state of calamity by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) following the devastating onslaught of consecutive super typhoons Nika, Marce, Ofel and Pepito.

GSIS president and general manager Jose Arnulfo ‘Wick’ Veloso announced that those who seek inclusion in the emergency loan program, deadline for application in the provinces of Quirino, Apayao and Santiago City in Isabela has been set on December 20 while for Aurora province and Cabagan, Isabela, it is until December 24.

Velsoso clarified that qualified members without an existing emergency loan can borrow ₱20,000, while those with existing loan balance may apply up to ₱40,000, provided the net proceeds do not exceed ₱20,000.

The loan, he added, has a 6 percent interest rate, a three-year payment term and redemption insurance coverage, which settles the loan balance in the event of the borrower’s death during the loan term, provided payments are up to date.

“Eligible active member-applicants for the emergency loan must be residing or working in the areas declared as calamity zones, not be on leave of absence without pay, have paid premiums for at least six months prior to application, have no pending administrative or criminal case, and have a net take-home pay of at least ₱5,000 after all the required obligations have been deducted,” Veloso reminded would-be loaners.

Pensioners may also apply, provided they are residing in the calamity areas and their net basic monthly pension is at least 25 percent after loan deductions.

Finally, the GSIS chief disclosed that members and pensioners may apply for the loan through the GSIS Touch mobile application, which can be downloaded from the Google Play and Apple App Stores.

For more information, visit the GSIS website at www.gsis.gov.ph or the official Facebook page @gsis.ph; or email gsiscares@gsis.gov.ph; or call the hotline at 8847-4747 (Metro Manila), 1-800-8-847-4747 (for Globe and TM users), or 1-800-10-847-4747 (for Smart, Sun, and Talk ’N Text subscribers).