By Brian Campued
Around P15.1 billion in emergency assistance will be released by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for its 608,343 members and pensioners in Mindanao affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck offshore Sarangani earlier this week.
Under the GSIS Emergency Loan Program, active members as well as old-age and disability pensioners residing or working in areas under a state of calamity are qualified to get an emergency loan.
Eligible borrowers who have an existing emergency loan may avail up to P40,000, subject to a maximum net proceeds of P20,000, while those without an outstanding emergency loan may get up to P20,000.
The loans carry a 6% annual interest rate and are payable over 36 months, with proceeds credited directly to the borrower’s ATM accounts.
Applications will be accepted until Sept. 7, 2026, through the GSIS Touch mobile application.
GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso also urged affected government offices with insured properties to immediately file claims for faster processing.
Veloso likewise assured the public that it is working to fast-track the processing of emergency loans and insurance claims in support of the Marcos Jr. administration’s whole-of-government response in disaster-hit communities.
“Our thoughts are with our fellow Filipinos in Mindanao affected by this powerful earthquake,” he said.
The GSIS is ready to provide accessible financial relief to help our members, pensioners, and partner government agencies recover and rebuild.”
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (NDRRMC) situational report as of 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the earthquake has affected 33,596 families or about 149,372 individuals across Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
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