The Government Service Insurance System on Tuesday announced that it has opened its emergency loan window for its members and pensioners who were affected by the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that hit Sarangani, Davao Occidental and the rest of Regions 11 and 12 recently.

GSIS president and general manager Wick Veloso said that the move is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to extend assistance to those who were adversely affected by the earthquake.

"We immediately opened the GSIS emergency loan to those affected by the strong earthquake so that we can meet their needs as soon as possible. Immediate financial support is a big deal for their need for food, medicine or repairing a damaged home," Veloso said.

A total of 171,341 members and 27,962 pensioners who are either working or residing in Regions 11 and 12 may apply for the emergency loan and will be available to members and pensioners in South Cotabato including Koronadal City; Sultan Kudarat including Tacurong City; Sarangani province; General Santos City including Kidapawan City; Davao del Sur; Davao City; Digos City; Davao del Norte; Tagum City; Davao de Oro; Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental including Mati City.

Veloso also disclosed that they have earmarked a total of P6 billion for our emergency loan budget this year to ensure that they have adequate amount of funds to assist those who need help after the earthquake.

He added that old-age and disability pensioners residing in the calamity areas may also avail of the loan provided their net monthly pension after availing of the loan is at least 25 percent of their basic monthly pension.

Meantime, members with existing emergency loan balance may borrow up to P40,000 to clear the balance of their previous emergency loan and receive a maximum net amount of P20,000 while pensioners and those without existing emergency loan may apply for a P20,000 loan.