GSIS Expands Emergency Loan Assistance to Nearly P8 Billion for Typhoon Victims

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) on Friday announced an increase in its emergency loan assistance for members and pensioners affected by the recent typhoons and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, to nearly P8 billion. According to the GSIS, the expanded emergency loan program will benefit 317,721 active members and old-age and disability pensioners in 16 areas. It earlier announced a P4.4-billion emergency loan facility. The loan program is available to members and pensioners working or residing in affected areas in Luzon and Mindanao, with application deadlines from September 20 to November 16, 2026, depending on the area. Those in Hagonoy, Bulacan and Masinloc, Zambales have until September 20; Bulacan, Bataan, Zambales (except Olongapo City and Masinloc), and La Trinidad, Benguet until September 26; and Nasugbu, Batangas and Paluan, Occidental Mindoro until September 27. Those in other municipalities in Benguet (except Baguio City and La Trinidad), Tarlac, and Pangasinan (except Dagupan City, Mangaldan, and Sta. Barbara) have until October 2; Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay until October 3; Occidental Mindoro until October 7; and Olongapo City, Zambales until October 9. The deadline for those in Cavite has been set at November 12, and for those in Rodriguez, Rizal at November 16. Qualified members and pensioners without existing loans may borrow P20,000, while those with outstanding balances may avail up to P40,000, with the outstanding balance of their existing emergency loan deducted from the proceeds. Old-age and disability pensioners residing in the affected areas may also apply, provided their net monthly pension after loan amortization remains at least 25% of their basic monthly pension. Applications can be made through the GSIS Touch mobile app, with loan proceeds credited directly to their GSIS eCard or UMID card. Under its charter, the GSIS is mandated to ensure that its members are insured against certain contingencies in exchange for their monthly premium contributions. They are entitled to benefits such as life insurance, separation or retirement benefits, and disability benefits. — RSJ, GMA News