HELP from abroad has poured in Mindanao where many of our countrymen were adversely affected by flooding and landslides.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his gratitude for the assistance given by the United States, Canada, and the European Union.

The US extended $1.25 million in financial assistance while Canada has earmarked CAD300,000 to aid the flood victims. On the other hand, the EU provided P30 million to support the needy Filipinos.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has placed the number of flood victims at more than 1.5 million.

Marcos has ordered all concerned government agencies to immediately help the affected families.

Heeding the president’s call to provide assistance to victims of calamities, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has opened its emergency loan window until March 15 to aid GSIS members and pensioners adversely affected by the flooding in the province of Agusan del Sur.

A total of 17,079 active members and 2,298 old-age pensioners who are working or residing in the area may apply for the emergency loan. The state pension fund set aside nearly P499 million in loan window.

Active GSIS members living or working in the calamity-hit areas are eligible for the loan. They must have paid their premiums within the last six months prior to application and not be on leave of absence without pay.

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.

They must also have no outstanding loan being deducted from their monthly pension except pension loan.

Members with existing emergency loans may borrow up to P40,000 to settle previous loan balances, ensuring a maximum net amount of P20,000. Those without any outstanding emergency loan, including pensioners, may apply for a P20,000 loan.

The loan has a 6% interest rate and a three-year payment term.

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 Robinsons and SM supermalls, and large government offices such as the Department of Education.

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