Its not just the coronavirus pandemic that badly hit businesses and caused massive unemployment. But also on how the Filipinos continuously face financial hardships throughout the years due to natural disasters.
Good thing, the Philippine government extends financial aid to the citizens through calamity loans. Both SSS (Social Security System) and Pag ibig Fund (Home Development Mutual Fund) offer calamity loans to the Filipinos.
GSIS (Government Service Insurance System) is the third government arm offering the same type of loan to its members, though we will only focus on applying for a calamity loan SSS and Pag-IBIG.
What is a calamity loan?
A calamity loan is extended to residents in areas declared as under the State of Calamity. This loan product is open to all voluntary, self-employed, or formally-employed Filipinos who are a member of SSS, Pag ibig, and/or GSIS.
The president, the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council), or its local counterpart, LDRRMC (Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council), can declare the status of an area after a careful assessment of the extent of the damage or impact.
In the Philippines, the devastating effects of these natural disasters often lead to placing an area under the State of Calamity:
Typhoon
Earthquake
Flood
Volcanic eruption
Landslide
Fire
Under the Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, Section 3, when the area is declared under the State of Calamity, funds appropriation, price freeze, and loan grants at zero or lower interest rates must be undertaken. More specifically, Section 17(d) of the same Act requires government financial institutions to grant loans to the affected residents.
Applying for a calamity loan in SSS
Qualifications:
- Has made a minimum of 36 monthly contributions, 6 of which are posted within the last 12 months
- Has not been granted any final benefit (disability or retirement)
- Must not have a standing calamity loan or under LRP (Loan Restructuring Program)
- Resides in the calamity stricken area
Requirements:
- Registered in the SSS website (My.SSS facility)
- Employer certification of the CLAP application (thru online) (for formally employed member-borrowers)
- Barangay certification
- Two valid IDs
- *A document stating that the area of the resident is under the State of Calamity
Loanable amount:
- Equivalent to one monthly salary credit (MSC) based on 12 MSC average
Officially known as CLAP or the Calamity Loan Assistance Program, SSS defines a resident as one who has a home or property in the area declared under the State of Calamity. He or she suffered damages or losses to their properties found in the said area. Aside form CLAP, there is a Direct House Repair and Improvement loan for qualified members.
In March 2020, the entire Luzon was put on quarantine. Businesses closed down, causing many Filipinos to lose their jobs. The Philippine government requires SSS and Pag-IBIG to offer their members calamity assistance packages to minimize the financial impact of the pandemic.
*Because of the health crisis, SSS no longer requires documents as proof that the place is declared as under the State of Calamity. But the agency may require this document for future calamity loans when the pandemic is over.
In July 2020, SSS extended CLAP to all Filipinos, following the president’s pronouncement that placed the entire Philippines under the State of Calamity.
Member-borrowers can only apply for the SSS calamity loan through the member portal. So make sure that you are registered and have access to your account. Also, you need to tell your employer about the filing of the calamity loan for certification purposes.
How much is the calamity loan amount from SSS?
The loanable amount is computed based on the MSC average rounded to the nearest thousand. Nonetheless, the borrower may apply for a specific amount. SSS will grant the lower amount, though. The amount can go as high as Php20,000.
Amortization is 24 equal monthly payments, the first payment of which must be made on the second month following the loan approval date. So there’s a one month grace period.
Furthermore, the payment deadline is on or before the last day of the month or the next business day if it falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday.
How much is the interest rate of the SSS calamity loan?
SSS charged a 10% interest rate, which was recently reduced to 6%. A 1% monthly penalty will be charged if the monthly repayment is not remitted on the due date. The payment penalty applies to the outstanding balance, not the total loaned amount.
In their last memo extending CLAP to member-borrowers hit by Typhoons Rolly, Quinta, and Ulysses (Circular No. 2020-030), SSS waived its 1% service fee. However, a prorated interest rate is deducted from the loan proceeds.
How can I receive my loan proceeds?
Finally, SSS releases the loan proceeds through UMID-ATM (Unified Multi-Purpose Identification – Automated Teller Machine) card.
Alternatively, the borrower may choose to receive the proceeds through the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) participating banks or Union Bank of the Philippines (UBP) quick card.
Depending on your preferred method of receiving the loan proceeds, SSS may also release the amount via check. It will be delivered to your selected mailing address.
How can I repay my SSS calamity loan amortization?
SSS loans are generally payable through salary deduction. You may also pay the amount through an SSS branch, accredited bank, or authorized payment center.
How long is the processing of the calamity loan?
The processing of the SSS calamity loan may take up to five business days.
Applying for a calamity loan in Pag ibig
Qualifications:
- Has made a minimum of 24 monthly savings
- Has made at least five monthly savings in the last six months**
- Proof of income
- Updated payments of existing loans (housing, multi-purpose, or calamity)
- Resides in the area under the State of Calamity
Requirements:
- Accomplished calamity loan application form
- Proof of income
- Photocopy of 2 valid IDs
- Declaration of being affected by calamity (for formally employed members)
Loanable amount:
- Up to 80% of the Total Accumulated Value (TAV)
Officially called the Pag ibig Fund Calamity Loan Program, an actively contributing member can avail of the calamity loan.
**Based on Pag ibig’s website, members may avail of the calamity loan for as long as he or she has made at least one monthly contribution within the last six months.
The application and declaration forms can be obtained from Pag ibig offices or downloaded from pagibigfund.gov.ph. Pag ibig calamity loans must be filed within 90 days of the declaration of the State of Calamity.
Upon submission of the application form and supporting documents, you will be given an STL acknowledgment receipt. It bears the application number and mode of release. You need to bring this receipt on the scheduled date of loan proceeds releasing.
Also, Pag ibig encourages people to file their calamity loan applications electronically. In this way, they need not go out since some areas still uphold lockdown restrictions.
How much is the calamity loan amount from Pag ibig?
TAV refers to the value of the member’s savings with the Pag ibig Fund. The savings include the member’s and his or her employer’s monthly contributions and accumulated dividends earned through the MP2 program.
MP2 refers to Modified II Savings, a savings facility with a five-year maturity. MP2 earns dividends of between 8 and 10%.
The actual loanable amount is the difference between the 80% TAV and the loan’s outstanding balance(s).
How much is the interest rate of the Pag ibig calamity loan?
The loan, which was usually amortized for 24 months, has an interest rate of 5.95% per annum. The Fund also offers a three months grace period, so you need to pay on the fourth month after the check’s release.
The Fund has the lowest interest rates of all available calamity loans in the Philippines.
How can I receive my loan proceeds?
Borrowers will receive the proceeds through a check.
Other modes of releasing loan proceeds are LandBank, DBP, and UCPB (United Coconut Planters Bank). If you are a Loyalty Card Plus holder, you may also use this to receive the amount.
How can I repay my Pag ibig calamity loan amortization?
Employed members may pay their monthly amortization through salary deduction. Self-employed and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) may pay through any Pag ibig branch.
How long is the processing of the calamity loan?
The processing of the Pag ibig calamity loan may take between seven and twenty business days. The processing of loans takes longer than usual because of the present situation. Some Pag ibig branches are operating on a skeletal workforce.
You will receive an SMS once the loan is approved and credited to your preferred mode of release. Make sure that you have an active cell phone number.
Pag ibig requires no processing fee. So beware of those people offering you assistance regarding your Pag ibig or even SSS calamity loan application. Chances are, it is a scam.
Overall, calamity loans help in easing the financial burden of a household when a calamity strikes. SSS and Pag ibig made the calamity loan application processes easier so that more Filipinos may access the products. Prepare all the documents and check that you qualify before applying and staring your loan payments.
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