THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has approved the grant of emergency loans for those affected by heavy rains and flooding in some areas in the Visayas region.

GSIS President and General Manager Robert Vergara said that those members residing or working in the province of Aklan, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental and nine municipalities in Leyte—Abuyog, Dagami, Javier, Julita, Mayorga, San Miguel, Tabontabon, Tanauan and Tolosa—may apply for emergency loan until Feb. 27.

Members in these areas experienced heavy rainfall in December last year that damaged infrastructure, crops and properties. More than 10,000 families in said areas were affected.

The GSIS has a total of 13,040 active members in the calamity areas and this will entail a gross disbursement of P260.8 million in emergency loans, Vergara said.

Application for an emergency loan may be filed through the agency’s kiosk using either the eCard or UMID eCard.  

GSIS members who lost their cards but who are eligible to apply for the loan may apply over-the-counter in any GSIS office in their area.

Members with outstanding emergency loans shall be allowed to renew the loan if the borrower has paid at least 12 monthly installment.   

“Borrowers should file their application not earlier than the anniversary date of the previous loan,” Vergara said.

Eligible members who may file for emergency loan include bona fide employees of the agency located in the declared calamity area or are resident of the declared calamity area; in active service and not on leave of absence without pay; have no pending criminal or administrative charges; have no arrearages in the payment of mandatory social insurance contributions; and have no loan that has been declared in default.

“Members in agencies whose loan privileges were suspended because of non-remittance of premium and loan payments are not eligible to apply for the emergency loan,” Vergara said.