SSS offers Calamity Loan Program to Cebu earthquake victims, typhoon-affected members

by Info @Brand Zone | October 7, 2025

In response to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and instruction of Finance Secretary and Social Security Commission Chairperson Ralph G. Recto to provide immediate relief to those devastated by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Cebu, the Social Security System (SSS) announced that affected SSS members can now apply for a calamity loan effective today, 2 October 2025.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph Montes De Claro said that the new Guidelines of the SSS Calamity Loan Program now in place allows SSS to respond sooner and immediately provide financial support through Calamity Loans for affected SSS members featuring lowered interest rate of 7% per annum and loanable amount of up to P20,000.  

“We want to assure our members that they can rely on SSS in times of calamities and other natural disasters. Our goal is to support the quick recovery of our members in quake-hit areas by providing them with an accessible loan program,” De Claro stated.

De Claro said that the program’s loan activation process has been significantly shortened enabling SSS to provide immediate financial assistance to affected members.  

He said that members can apply for the calamity loan using their My.SSS account. Once approved, loan proceeds will be credited directly to their enrolled disbursement account.

To qualify, members must meet the following major requirements:

• Must be residing or working in an area declared under State of Calamity;

• Must have at least 36 monthly contributions. At least six of these must be posted within the last 12 months before filing. Individually paying members must have paid at least six contributions under their current membership type;

• Must have online account with SSS (My.SSS) to file an online application;

• Must have no past due loan accounts and no outstanding restructured loans;

• Must not have been granted any final benefit;

• Must be of legal age and under 65 years of age at the time of the loan application; and

• Must have not been disqualified due to fraud committed against the SSS.

For employed members, their employers must be updated on SSS contributions and loan remittances.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has declared a State of Calamity for all cities and municipalities in Cebu Province following a powerful earthquake that struck last 30 September 2025.

Calamity loan for typhoon-hit members

In addition to Cebu, De Claro emphasized that the SSS Calamity Loan Program extends vital financial relief to members affected by the recent tropical cyclones — Mirasol, Nando, and Opong — and the enhanced southwest monsoon that have disrupted lives and livelihoods across the country.

“The series of typhoons in the past several days has affected the daily lives and livelihood of our members in different parts of the country. Through our new Calamity Loan Program, SSS is now more responsive to the needs of affected SSS members as the loan window is announced and implemented within a few days from declaration of State of Calamity providing immediate financial support and helping them recover sooner from these weather disturbances,” De Claro said.

The NDRRMC declared a State of Calamity over 85 towns and cities in Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Masbate, Aklan, and Maguindanao del Sur as a result of these weather events, as follows:

De Claro emphasized SSS’ continued commitment to help members recover and rebuild as fast as possible after calamities.

PCSO Honored at 2025 GOCCs’ Day for Outstanding Public Service

by Info @Brand Zone | October 7, 2025

In photo: The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Board receives the certificate of recognition, led by PCSO Chairperson Judge Felix P. Reyes (center) and General Manager Melquiades A. Robles (3^rd from left). Also in the photo are Board Secretary Atty. Charles Frederick T.  Co and Directors Imelda A.  Papin, Janet De Leon Mercado, Jennifer Liongson Guevara, and Assistant General Manager for Gaming Sector Atty. Lyssa Grace S. Pagano (far right). By: Leila Valencia

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) was honored by the government during the celebration of the Government- Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs’) Day on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Malacañang.

The recognition affirmed the agency’s vital role in strengthening public service and nation-building, especially through its significant remittances and meaningful programs that touch the lives of many Filipinos.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., together with the Department of Finance (DOF), presented the award to PCSO officials during the GOCCs’ Day celebration in Malacañang.

This year, PCSO remitted a total of ₱1.77 billion to the National Treasury, contributing to the total ₱116.84 billion dividend remittances from 53 GOCCs. These funds are earmarked to boost the economy, strengthen the healthcare system, and uplift the lives of Filipino families.

The President stressed that the GOCCs have been instruments of growth, equity, and empowerment. 

''Through their contributions, we have built infrastructure, expanded services, invested in communities especially those that have long been marginalized. Because of your determination and compassion, more Filipinos are being reached and served by our programs,” President Marcos said in his keynote address.

He also shared uplifting news, announcing the approval of a salary increase for GOCC employees along with the provision of tiered medical allowances, in recognition of their dedicated service to the nation.

For PCSO, this recognition serves as both an achievement and a challenge to further improve the delivery of honest, efficient, and compassionate public service in building a stronger Bagong Pilipinas.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto also emphasized that GOCCs like PCSO are not merely “government-owned” but “people-owned.” He stressed that every service delivered, and every peso remitted is a direct investment in the welfare of the Filipino people.

PCSO remains steadfast in its mission of service and charity, living by its mantra: “PCSO, Hindi Umuurong sa Pagtulong,” a constant reminder that every effort, every service, and every program is dedicated to helping the Filipino people. 

PCSO Receives Top Gender and Development Award from PCW

by Info @Brand Zone | October 7, 2025

By: Leila Valencia /Photos by Ericson Delos Reyes

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) bagged the Gender and Development (GAD) Expenditure Award for 2024 from the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) during a recognition ceremony held on September 25, 2025, at Crowne Plaza Manila, Quezon City. 

During the awarding, PCW lauded the 2024 top-performing agencies in the GAD budget and honored government institutions that excelled in integrating gender and development into their programs and services.

The award was personally handed over by PCW Chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla, who underscored the Commission’s role in championing gender equality across government agencies.

Accepting the award on behalf of PCSO were Assistant General Manager for Administrative Sector Julieta F. Aseo and PCSO GAD Focal Point System Chairperson Atty. Anna Liza P. Inciong, highlighting the agency’s strong commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment through its programs and services.

The certificate presented to PCSO read:

“In recognition of its outstanding performance as the Top Government-Owned and Controlled Corporation with the Highest Attributed GAD Expenditure for 2024, for demonstrating effective gender mainstreaming and commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment through the judicious use of its GAD budget.”

This recognition affirms PCSO’s leadership in channeling the largest actual spending from its mainstream programs and projects toward advancing gender equality. By integrating gender considerations into its core services, PCSO demonstrates that gender-responsive governance can be at the heart of public service delivery.

General Manager Melquiades Robles also took pride in the PCSO’s milestone, saying, “Receiving this award from the PCW is both an honor and a challenge for us to continue raising the bar. It is proof that our efforts to integrate gender perspectives into our programs are making a real difference in the lives of Filipinos. We will continue to strengthen our initiatives so that every community we serve benefits from inclusive and equitable public service.”

In addition to the top award, PCSO also received distinctions across other categories: rank 5 for the Highest Total GAD Budget Expenditure, rank 8 for the Highest Attributed GAD Allocation, and for the Highest Total GAD Budget Allocation.

These awards collectively highlight PCSO’s comprehensive approach to gender mainstreaming. They also showcase the agency’s effective use of GAD funds, foresight in earmarking portions of major program budgets for gender integration, and its strong financial commitment through the largest overall GAD budget allocation.   

Through these achievements, PCSO stands as a model for how government agencies can successfully embed gender perspectives into their primary functions, ensuring inclusive and equitable public service delivery.