Aid for Davao landslide victims underway
ENCOURAGED by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s policy to provide immediate help to Filipinos affected by disasters, both the House of Representatives and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) are making sure aid will be delivered fast to landslide victims in Davao region.
Through the offices of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Tingog Party-list, and in partnership with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the lower chamber is facilitating the immediate release of P35 million in financial aid and 17,500 food packs as assistance for the seven congressional districts affected by the disaster.
Romualdez underscored the urgency of their efforts, noting the focus is on the continued unhampered delivery of substantial assistance to those in the Davao Region severely affected by the natural disaster.
Also taking the cue from the President is the GSIS which is prepared to extend soonest emergency loan to members and pensioners in the provinces of Davao Del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental and Davao City.,
GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso said under the GSIS Emergency Loan program, qualified members who have no existing emergency loan may borrow up to P20,000.
Those who have existing emergency loan balance may borrow up to P40,000 to pay off their outstanding emergency loan balance and will still receive a maximum net amount of P20,000. Pensioners are also eligible to apply for a loan of P20,000.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, nearly 45,000 families, comprising over 187,000 people, in the region have been affected by flooding and landslides.
“Every moment counts, and we are working tirelessly to ensure that financial aid and essential supplies reach those in need without delay,” Romualdez said. “We understand the gravity of the situation, and our combined efforts aim to alleviate the immediate challenges faced by our fellow Filipinos.”
It was learned coordination is being made with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the swift release of P5 million to each of the seven districts in Davao Region through the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.
The allocated financial aid will support the districts represented by Maria Carmen Zamora (Davao de Oro, 1st District), Alan Dujali (Davao del Norte, 2nd District), Cheeno Miguel Almario (Davao Oriental, 2nd District), Nelson Dayanghirang (Davao Oriental, 1st District), and Ruwel Peter Gonzaga (Davao de Oro, 2nd District).
Financial aid will also be extended to the first district of Davao del Norte and the lone district of Davao Occidental. The assistance will be channeled through Vice Governors De Carlo Uy and Lorna Bandigan, respectively.
Additionally, the said districts will each be provided with 2,500 food packs.
The financial aid will play a crucial role in supporting diverse aspects of relief efforts, including the reconstruction of minor infrastructure, provision of medical assistance and assistance to families displaced by the calamity.
The House Speaker assured flood victims that the Marcos administration is doing everything to respond to their needs. “Our hearts go out to the people of the Davao Region facing the aftermath of this natural disaster,” Romualdez said.
Meanwhile, the GSIS chief said eligible applicants for the emergency loan are active members residing or working in places which have been declared as calamity areas, who are not on leave of absence without pay and have paid their premiums within the last six months prior to application. They should have no pending administrative or criminal case and a have a resulting net take-home pay of at least P5,000 after all the required monthly obligations have been deducted.
Old-age and disability pensioners residing in the calamity areas may also avail of the loan as long as their resulting net monthly pension after loan availment is at least 25% of their basic monthly pension and they have no outstanding loan being deducted from their monthly pension except pension loan.
The loan has a low interest rate of 6% and three-year payment term. With a redemption insurance feature, the balance will be deemed fully paid in the event of the borrower’s death, as long as payments are updated.
Members and pensioners may apply for the loan using the GSIS Touch mobile application, which is available for download from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. They may also apply through the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosks, found in all GSIS offices, selected Robinson’s and SM supermalls, and large government offices such as the Department of Education. Over-the-counter application will be allowed if the GWAPS kiosk is offline or if the borrower has no ecard, has a defective ecard, unreadable biometrics or temporary-issued eCard.
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