MANILA - State pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) set aside over PHP511 million under the Ginhawa for All Emergency loan for its active members as well as old-age and disability pensioners in Davao del Norte province and the municipality of Montevista in Davao de Oro. GSIS opened the loan window until May 7, 2022 to help more than 25,000 affected members and pensioners in these areas which were declared under a state of calamity due to the massive flooding brought by continuous heavy rains. The flooding damaged houses, crops, properties, critical facilities and infrastructures. "May mga kababayan tayo na madalas makaranas ng kalamidad. Kaya para sa ating members at pensioners na may binabayaran pang emergency loan at nais muling mag-apply nito, makakahiram sila ng hanggang PHP40,000. lbabawas ang natitira pa nilang balanse mula sa kanilang loan proceeds. Para sa mga walang emergency loan, pwede silang mag-apply ng PHP20,000 (We have fellowmen who are frequently experiencing calamities. So for our members and pensioners who are still paying an emergency loan and intend to apply for this loan, they can borrow up to PHP40,000. The balance will be deducted from their loan proceeds. For those without an emergency loan, they can apply for PHP20,000)," GSIS president and General Manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said in a statement Monday. The emergency loan is payable in 36 equal monthly installments with a 6-percent interest rate. It also has a loan redemption insurance which deems the loan fully paid, in case of the borrower's demise, provided the loan payment is up to date. To qualify, active members must be residing or working in the calamity areas, not be on leave of absence without pay, have no pending administrative case or criminal charge, have at least three monthly premium payments within the last six months prior to application; and have a net take home pay not lower than the amount required under the General Appropriations Act after all monthly obligations have been deducted. Members who have emergency loans that have been unpaid for six months or less in arrears, or more than six months already due and demandable, may apply for emergency loan renewal. Old-age and disability pensioners residing in the two areas may also avail of the loan as long as their resulting net monthly pension after the loan availment is at least 25 percent of their basic monthly pension. Loan application may be filed through the GSIS Touch mobile app, Electronic GSIS Member Online (eGSISMO) facility, or GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosk; emailed to the GSIS handling branch; placed in drop boxes located in lobbies of GSIS offices; or submitted over the counter at any GSIS office. (PR) }