State pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) will offer anew its emergency loan program to assist its members and pensioners in Luzon affected by Typhoon Karding.

Members who have existing emergency loan balance may borrow up to PHP40,000 to pay off their previous emergency loan balance and still receive a maximum net amount of PHP20,000, according to a news release on Monday.

Those without existing emergency loan and pensioners may apply for PHP20,000.

The loan has a 6 percent interest and is payable in two years.

“We have allocated PHP4 billion for our emergency loan budget this year so we are ready to help our kababayan (countrymen) in Luzon. We will ensure that the loan assistance will be available to all qualified active members and old-age and disability pensioners based in the affected areas,” said Wick Veloso, GSIS president and general manager.

Qualified to apply are members who are in active service and not on leave of absence without pay; have at least three months of paid premiums within the last six months; have no pending administrative or criminal case; and have a net take-home pay of not lower than PHP5,000 after all required monthly obligations have been deducted.

Meanwhile, other loan windows are available for members and pensioners who are not qualified for emergency loan.

Members may apply for the Multi-Purpose Loan Plus, which has a maximum loanable amount of PHP5 million, while pensioners may borrow up to six-month’s worth of their pension or up to PHP500,000 under the Enhanced Pension Loan program.

GSIS also set aside PHP10 million worth of financial assistance to benefit 25 schools nationwide, 10 of which are in Luzon, as part of its Adopt-a-School Program in partnership with the Department of Education.

The assistance includes support for technology and assistive learning devices, infrastructure, and furniture.

For details on GSIS’s programs, members and pensioners may visit the GSIS website (www.gsis.gov.ph) or Facebook page (@gsis.ph); send an email to gsiscares@gsis.gov.ph; or call the GSIS Contact Center at 8847-4747 (Metro Manila), 1-800-8-847-4747 (Globe and TM subscribers) or 1-800-10-847-4747 (Smart, Sun, and Talk ‘N Text subscribers).

Polillo Islands as well as in the extreme northern portion of Quezon province, particularly the northern and central portions of General Nakar and the northeastern portion of Infanta, were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5 almost the entire Sunday, with “Karding” still classified as a super typhoon at the time

Nueva Eija is likewise under a state of calamity due to the extensive damage on crops and infrastructure. (PNA)