DIPOLOG CITY,
November 6 - - The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has opened an
emergency loan (EL) window for its members residing or working in the
municipalities of Siocon and Sirawai in Zamboanga del Norte to help them and
their families recover from damages brought about by super typhoon Lawin.
GSIS President
and General Manager (PGM) Robert G. Vergara said P12 million has been allotted
for the EL window, which is open from 22 October 2012 to 20 November 2012.
The provincial
board of Zamboanga del Norte declared Siocon and Sirawai under a state of
calamity after strong winds and heavy rains battered the two municipalities for
three days in September, displacing over 1,600 families in the southern region.
To qualify for
EL, applicants must be residing or working in the areas; must not be on leave
of absence without pay; have no pending criminal or administrative charges;
have no arrears in premium payment; have no loans that remain unpaid for six
months or longer; and do not belong to a government agency suspended by the
GSIS for nonpayment of premiums and loans.
Eligible
applicants may avail of up to P20,000 EL payable in equal monthly installments
for three years.
“To give our
members ample time to adjust, payment of the first amortization has been
extended to three months,” PGM Vergara said, adding that the applicable
interest rate has been reduced to 6 percent and the service charge waived.
Members with
existing ELs must have paid at least 12 monthly amortizations to renew their loan,
which may only be filed after the anniversary date of the previous EL.
Interested
members may apply for an emergency loan online via the GSIS Wireless Automated
Processing System kiosks deployed in GSIS offices, provincial capitols, or
municipal halls.
They can also
submit their loan application over the counter at the nearest GSIS office. Loan
application forms are available at GSIS offices or downloadable at www.gsis.gov.ph.
In anticipation
of the influx of loan applicants, the GSIS assured its members that the
Zamboanga del Norte office will have sufficient number of personnel to answer
queries and receive applications on weekends. (GSIS Press Release/PIA9/alt)