LEGAZPI CITY: A total of 285,161 active members of the Social Security System (SSS) in the Bicol Region are eligible for calamity and salary loans, an official said on Thursday. Jeanette Mapa, SSS-Bicol spokesperson, shared in an interview that the eligible members are from areas declared under a state of calamity due to various weather disturbances that have affected the region. According to Philippines News Agency, the eligible members come from the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Sorsogon, as well as Cataingan and San Fernando in Masbate. These members can avail of the loans offered until December 19, 2024. Qualified members may receive a loan equivalent to one monthly salary credit, with a maximum of PHP20,000. Mapa highlighted that besides the calamity loan, a salary loan is another option for members. She mentioned that while the SSS has begun monitoring applications for these loans, the exact number of applicants is not yet available, as the applications are being processed online. Eligible members interested in applying can submit their loan applications through their My.SSS account via the SSS website. She further detailed that the entire process, from application to approval and disbursement, is conducted online. The loan proceeds will be credited to the registered Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card. To qualify for these loans, members must meet specific criteria: they must have at least 36 monthly contributions, with six contributions posted within the last 12 months before applying; six contributions must be posted under the current membership type; they must reside in a declared calamity area; they should not have final benefit claims such as permanent total disability or retirement; they must not have past-due SSS short-term member loans or outstanding restructured loans or calamity loans; and if employed, their employer must certify their loan application through the online My.SSS facility. Mapa mentioned that the calamity and salary loans are repayable over two years or in 24 monthly installments.