La union: More than 21,000 government workers and pensioners affected by a dengue outbreak in La Union and a sugarcane pest infestation in Negros Occidental may tap PHP520.08 million in emergency loans from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

According to Philippines News Agency, the GSIS announced in a news release on Wednesday that 21,153 eligible active members and old-age and disability pensioners could apply for financial assistance following separate emergency declarations in the two areas. The emergency loan is part of GSIS's ongoing commitment to providing immediate financial relief to its members and pensioners in regions declared to be under a state of calamity, disaster, or public health emergency.

Borrowers in Bagulin, La Union, which declared a state of public health emergency due to a dengue outbreak, may submit applications until August 16. Meanwhile, those in Negros Occidental have until August 14 to apply, following the province's declaration of a state of calamity due to an outbreak of red-striped soft scale insects affecting sugarcane plantations.

The GSIS detailed that the loan is repayable over 36 monthly installments with a fixed interest rate of six percent per annum and no processing or service fee. Active members must meet specific criteria, including working or residing in the affected area, having paid at least three months of premiums within the past six months, and maintaining a monthly take-home pay of at least PHP5,000 after deductions. They must also have no loan overdue for more than six months, no pending administrative or criminal cases, and not be on leave without pay.

For pensioners to qualify, they must reside in the affected areas, retain at least 25 percent of their monthly pension after loan deductions, and have no emergency loan overdue for more than six months. Applications can be submitted through the GSIS Touch mobile application, and approved loan proceeds will be credited directly to the borrower's automated teller machine account.