CEBU (Mindanao Examiner / May 13, 2014) – The Government Service Insurance System said it has extended the implementation of the Home Emergency Loan Program to October this year, and also expanded its coverage include an additional 34 areas affected by typhoon Haiyan last year.
The Home Emergency Loan Program or HELP is a one-time special loan that aims to enable GSIS members and pensioners to rebuild their homes in communities that were hardest hit by Haiyan, particularly in the Visayas.
“Expanding the coverage of HELP synchronizes the effort of the System with the move of the national government to include these areas in NDRRMC’s updated list of localities severely affected by the typhoon,” said GSIS President and General Manager Robert Vergara.
NDRRMC refers to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
The 34 additional areas now covered by HELP include, the municipalities of San Remigio, Patnongon, Valderama in the province of Antique; Almeria and Culaba in Biliran province; Tuburan in Cebu province; and Baybay and Silago in Leyte province.
In Eastern Samar, three municipalities are also covered by the program – General McArthur, Llorente, and Maydolong; and the municipalities of Daram, Talarora and Villareal in Western Samar.
In Iloilo, a total of 13 areas are now eligible under HELP namely, Alimodian, Anilao, Badiangan, Barotac Nuevo, Cabatuan, Dumangas, Janiuay, Lambunao, Maasin, Mina, New Lucena, Pototan, and Zarraga, and four municipalities in Negros Occidental – Calatrava, Eb Magalona, Silay City; and Victorias City.
Also included in the new list are the municipalities of Cuyo in Palawan, Balud in Masbate province, as well as Loreto on Dinagat Island.
The grant of HELP to members in the 34 areas will be subject to the receipt of a resolution issued by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan or Sangguniang Panglungsod or through a certification issued by the provincial governor or administrator and a request from the city or municipal mayor.
Under HELP, members who have been with the government for 10 years or more are qualified to the maximum loan amount of P200,000. Those who have rendered service for five years or more but less than 10 years may borrow up to P100,000. And members with less than five years may take out a loan of up to P30,000.
The loan is payable in 10 years and bears an interest rate of 6% and the approval of the agency authorized officer is required to process the loan.For the first quarter of this year, GSIS has released more than P8.5 billion under HELP that benefited some 60,000 borrowers.
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