MOST government agencies are often criticized because people in need find it difficult to ask help from them.

In many cases, delivery of assistance from these inefficient state offices is delayed if not forgotten to the detriment of our poor countrymen’s welfare.

But there’s always an exception. And the one that quickly comes into my mind is the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

GSIS is a champ in extending aid to government workers. They buckle down to work when their service is called upon so that help can reach their needy members the soonest possible time.

Just recently, the state pension fund allotted emergency loans fund for active members and old-age and disability pensioners in the provinces of Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro, as well as in the municipalities of Caraga and Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental.

Said localities were affected by various calamities.

GSIS alloted around P814 million for 36,155 active members and 4,539 pensioners in the said areas who were affected by flooding and earthquake.

The loan application is open until May 27, GSIS president and general manager Wick Veloso revealed.

Magnitude 6.0 and 5.9 earthquakes jolted Davao de Oro in February and March, respectively.

From January to March, widespread flooding and landslides occurred in the region due to a low-pressure area (LPA).

Thousands were displaced and two fatalities aged 5 and 57 were reported in Davao del Norte in January.

In March, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said 4,632 people were affected; 915 were displaced; and bridges, roads and houses were damaged or destroyed due to the LPA.

Veloso said 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 percent of their basic monthly pension.

Members with existing emergency loan balance may borrow up to P40,000 to pay off their previous emergency loan balance and receive a maximum net amount of PHP20,000.

Meanwhile, pensioners and those without existing emergency loan may apply for a loan amounting to P20,000.

The emergency loan, which is payable in 36 equal monthly installments with a 6 percent interest, has a loan redemption insurance which deems the loan fully paid in case of the borrower’s demise provided the loan payment is up to date.

The monthly amortization is small, just P655.56 for loan amounting to P20,000 and P1,173.20 for loans amounting to P40,000.

GSIS members are urged to use the GSIS Touch mobile application in processing loans as it is faster, safer, and more convenient.

The official GSIS app eliminates visits to the branches and allows members to access records, do loans tentative computation, apply for a loan and monitor its status, get claims tentative computation, apply for life and retirement claims by uploading required documents, receive premium and loan payments posting notifications, and schedule Annual Pensioners’ Information Revalidation.

Meanwhile, to qualify for the emergency loan, active members must be residing or working in the mentioned areas; not on leave of absence without pay; have no pending administrative or criminal case; have at least three monthly premium payments within the last six months prior to application; have no due and demandable loan; and have a net take-home pay not lower than the amount required under the General Appropriations Act after all monthly obligations have been deducted.

For sure, many of our state workers in Davao will benefit from this government program.

Good job GSIS!

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