IT’S the suffix of the word ‘automatic’ that means ‘working by itself.’

When someone does something without being told to, common Filipinos usually refer to it as ‘matic’.

That’s why when a gasoline boy fills up one’s tank, he also wipes the car’s windshield without being instructed by the driver. We call it ‘matic na ‘yan’.

The same is true when a husband comes home from work and gives her wife a warm kiss. Giving her the smack should be a habit if he wants good food everyday day and a great bedtime every night.

Matic na ‘yun of course!

At any rate, I’m glad that this domestic lingo is also true in government especially at the state pension fund.

The Government System Insurance System (GSIS) has been consistently providing aid to needy state workers affected by calamities in the country.

When disasters strike, GSIS doesn’t wait for cue to help distressed government workers. They waste no time so that immediate assistance could be extended to victims. For GSIS, matic na ‘yan.

Just recently, the GSIS announced its emergency loan window is now open for GSIS members and pensioners who have been affected by the African swine fever in Oriental Mindoro.

The pension fund has earmarked a total budget of P428 million to offer the financial assistance.

Members with existing emergency loans are eligible to borrow up to P40,000 to settle previous loan balances, with a maximum net amount of P20,000.

Earlier, the GSIS also 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.

For ASF-hit members in Oriental Mindoro, the deadline for application is on March 20, 2024.

**

For comments, please call or text 09569012811 or email [email protected]