Pagbubukas ng klase, postponed sa halos 90 paaralan

by Angela Fernando @News | July 26, 2024

Ipagpapaliban muna ng mahigit sa 90 pampublikong paaralan ang pagbubukas ng klase dahil sa matinding epekto ng Super Typhoon Carina na pinalakas pa ng Southwest Monsoon. Ito ay ayon sa kumpirmasyon ni Education Secretary Sonny Angara.

Kabilang sa mga lungsod na mauusod ang pagbubukas ng klase ay ang Malabon at Valenzuela. Ang desisyon na ito ay bunga ng pinsalang dulot ng bagyo at Habagat, na nagresulta sa pagbaha at pagkasira ng mga imprastruktura sa mga apektadong lugar.

Magbubukas muli ang mga paaralan sa Malabon City sa Hulyo 31, habang ang mga nasa Valenzuela City ay ililipat ang pagbubukas ng klase sa Agosto 5 imbes na sa orihinal na schedule na Hulyo 29.

SSS to offer calamity loan to ‘Carina’-affected members

by Info @Brand Zone | July 25, 2024

The Social Security System (SSS) is set to provide calamity loan assistance to members who have been affected by Typhoon 'Carina' in the National Capital Region and in areas that may soon be declared under state of calamity.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said that members in typhoon-stricken areas can borrow a loan equivalent to their one monthly salary credit or up to a maximum of P20,000.

“SSS will always be ready to assist our members in typhoon-affected areas. We want to assure them that in times of calamities, they can rely on SSS to provide them the needed financial assistance as they recover from Typhoon Carina,” Macasaet said.

To qualify, typhoon-affected members must:

• Have at least 36 monthly contributions, six of which must be posted within the last 12 months before the month of filing of application;

• Be living or residing in the declared calamity area;

• Be below 65 years old at the time of loan application;

• Have no final benefit claim such as permanent total disability or retirement;

• Have no past due SSS Short-Term Member Loans;

• Have no outstanding restructured loan or calamity loan.

Macasaet said that interested members can apply for the calamity loan using their My.SSS account via www.sss.gov.ph.

“Once approved, the loan proceeds will be credited to the member’s registered Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID)-ATM Card or their active accounts with a Philippine Electronic Fund Transfer System and Operations Network (PESONet) participating bank,” Macasaet explained.

He said members could pay the calamity loan in two years or 24 equal monthly installments with an annual interest rate of 10 percent.

“We hope that through the calamity loan assistance, we may be able to help typhoon-affected members as they recover from the adverse effects of Typhoon Carina,” Macasaet concluded.

Pag-IBIG Calamity Loan ready for members affected by Typhoon Carina

by Info @Brand Zone | July 25, 2024

Pag-IBIG Fund has announced the immediate availability of its Calamity Loan to assist members affected by Typhoon Carina. The typhoon has intensified monsoon rains (habagat), leading to widespread flooding across various regions. 

The agency has allocated calamity loan funds to help affected members in Metro Manila, Cainta (Rizal), Baco (Oriental Mindoro), and the Province of Batangas.   Additional funds will be released for other areas where State of Calamity may be declared.

“Pag-IBIG Fund is ready to support our Filipino workers with their immediate financial needs through our cash loans. We are closely coordinating with local government units in the hardest-hit areas to ensure that aid reaches those in need promptly, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.'s directive to extend all necessary assistance to our fellow Filipinos affected by these calamities,” said Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and Chairperson of the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees. 

The Pag-IBIG Calamity Loan is one of the agency’s Short-Term Loan programs designed to provide relief and support to members residing or working in areas declared under a state of calamity. Qualified members can borrow up to 80% of their total Pag-IBIG Regular Savings, which consists of their monthly contributions, their employer’s contributions, and accumulated dividends earned. The loan is offered at a low annual interest rate of only 5.95%, with payment terms of 24 or 36 months, with the first payment deferred for two months.

For members who need financial assistance in areas not declared under a state of calamity, the Pag-IBIG Multi-Purpose Loan is available to help them recover from the aftermath of the typhoon. 

Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene C. Acostaemphasized the urgency of providing immediate financial support to members affected by the calamity. 

“I have already instructed the deployment of our Lingkod Pag-IBIG on Wheels (LPOW) as soon as roads become safe and passable, to ensure that our services become accessible to our members from the affected areas. Through our LPOW, Pag-IBIG members can submit their Calamity Loan applications to finance their immediate needs, file for insurance claims if their homes mortgaged under Pag-IBIG Fund are damaged, or file for a Housing Loan for major home repairs,” Acosta said.

She further added that members may submit their Calamity Loan applications online through the Virtual Pag-IBIG. “For members with internet access, they may accomplish, scan, and upload their Pag-IBIG Calamity Loan applications even without a Virtual Pag-IBIG account. They may also submit hard copies of all accomplished applications to their company’s accredited Fund Coordinators along with the required documents for processing.

And starting Monday (July 29), members whose employers are enrolled with STL online with Employer Interface may also submit their applications via the Virtual Pag-IBIG for Employers, making the process as easy and convenient as possible. Just make sure that you have activated your Virtual Pag-IBIG Account and your Loyalty Card Plus so that we can immediately credit the proceeds of your Calamity Loan.  We want to reassure our members that they can count on Pag-IBIG Fund for timely and reliable assistance in their time of need.”

From January to June of this year, Pag-IBIG Fund has released a total of P35.32 billion in cash loans, assisting 1.50 million members. Of the total, P1.14 billion were Calamity Loans, which helped 70,141 members recover from the effects of typhoons and other calamities.