The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) opened a Php244-million emergency facility for members and pensioners in Eastern Samar (except Guiuan) who were affected by typhoon Ursula.

A total of 12,197 active members working or residing in the province, as well as old-age and disability pensioners, may apply for a Php20,000 emergency loan until March 13, 2020. Earlier, the same loan window was opened in Guiuan, which ran from January 21 to February 19, 2020.

Active members may qualify for the loan if they are working or residing in Eastern Samar; have updated premium payments within the last six months prior to application; have no unpaid loans for more than six months; are not on leave of absence without pay; have no pending administrative case or criminal charge; and have a minimum net take-home pay of Php5,000 after monthly premium contributions and loan amortizations have been deducted.

Old-age and disability pensioners may apply for the loan if they are residents of the calamity area and their resulting net monthly pension after loan availment is at least 25% of their basic monthly pension.

Pensioners have to personally apply for the loan. Members may apply through the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosk or over the counter in any GSIS office. GWAPS kiosks are located in all GSIS branch and extension offices; provincial capitols; city halls; selected municipal offices; large government agencies such as the Department of Education; Robinsons Malls; and selected SM City branches in North EDSA, Manila, Pampanga, Cebu, SM Aura in Taguig, SM Southmall in Las Piñas, and Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Loan proceeds are electronically credited to the borrower’s GSIS electronic card (eCard) or unified multipurpose identification (UMID) card.

Emergency loan is payable in 36 equal monthly instalments at 6% interest rate computed in advance. It is covered by a loan redemption insurance, which deems the loan fully paid in case of the borrower’s demise, provided that loan repayment is up to date.

Renewal of a previous emergency loan that is being amortized is allowed only if the current emergency loan account is up to date. The outstanding emergency loan balance of the previous loan, including penalties, if any, shall be deducted from the proceeds of the new loan.

Interested parties who have inquiries may visit the GSIS website, www.gsis.gov.ph, or Facebook account, @gsis.ph; email gsiscares@gsis.gov.ph; or call the GSIS Contact Center at 8847-4747 (if in Metro Manila) or 1-800-8-847-4747 (for Globe and TM subscribers) or 1-800-10-847-4747 (for Smart, Sun, and Talk ’N Text subscribers).