GSIS opens emergency loans in calamity-hit areas

To aid government workers and retirees affected by Severe Tropical Storm Crising and the intensified southwest monsoon (habagat), the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has opened its emergency loan facility in five calamity-declared areas: Quezon City, Cavite, Umingan (Pangasinan), and Calumpit (Bulacan).

GSIS Officer-in-Charge Juliet Bautista announced that qualified members and pensioners in these areas may now apply for the loan, with deadlines set on August 23, 2025 for Umingan and Calumpit, and October 23, 2025 for Cavite and Quezon City.

“This emergency loan is one way we can quickly respond to the needs of our members and pensioners affected by the recent calamities,” said Bautista, adding that more areas may be added once local governments submit their official calamity declarations.

Under the program, first-time borrowers may avail up to ₱20,000, while existing emergency loan borrowers may renew and receive up to P40,000. The loan is payable in three years, with a 6% annual interest and no processing fee.

To qualify, active members must live or work in the affected area, be in active service (not on unpaid leave), have no pending legal or administrative cases, and have paid at least six months of premiums. 

A minimum net take-home pay of ₱5,000 is also required. Old-age and disability pensioners may also apply if their net monthly pension remains at 25% of their gross after amortization.

Loan applications can be submitted through the GSIS Touch mobile app or via GWAPS kiosks in GSIS branches and select government offices. 

Over-the-counter applications are also accepted for those not yet registered in the app. TRACY CABRERA