A total of 21 areas ravaged by severe tropical storm ‘Kristine’ declared a state of calamity, majority of which are located in the Bicol Region, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Friday.
According to the NDRRMC, 19 areas in Bicol Region are under state of calamity, including Albay (province-wide) and Bulan, Sorsogon.
Cavite; Mulanay and Tagkawayan in the Quezon Province; Magpet, Cotabato and 12 areas in Eastern Samar were also under similar circumstances.
Meanwhile, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) said emergency loans are available for severe tropical storm ‘Kristine’ victims in areas under state of calamity.
GSIS said the program is already open to residents of Albay and Naga, Camarines Sur and will be opened in other areas where the government will declare a state of calamity.
Members qualified for the loan are those who are actively employed and not on leave without pay. They must have a net take home pay of at least P5,000 and have paid premiums for at least 6 months.
Pensioners, meanwhile, must have a remaining net pension of at least 25 percent of their pension after loan amortization to qualify.
GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso encouraged members to apply through the GSIS Touch mobile app, which he said is a faster and more efficient way to apply for loans and track payments.
Members without an existing emergency loan can borrow up to P20,000, while those with existing balances can apply for up to P40,000. The loan has an interest rate of 6 percent per annum and is payable in three years.
As of 11:00 a.m. on Friday, national weather service PAGASA said ‘Kristine’ is about to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility. But many areas across Luzon and some in Visayas remain under tropical cyclone wind signals no. 1 and 2.
