Residents of San Jose Baybayon, Buhi in Camarines Sur are evacuated by joint teams from the Philippine National Police, military, Coast Guard, and Red Cross during typhoon Usman at the end of 2018. — MPS BUHI FB PAGE

MEMBERS OF the Social Security System (SSS) who were affected by typhoon Usman that struck the country at the end of 2018 can now apply for a calamity assistance loan. SSS announced that more than P451 million has been allocated for the loan program, with over 41,000 paying members and 1,000 pensioners seen to benefit. “We hope that the SSS calamity assistance program would be able help our members affected by tropical depression Usman address their immediate and short-term financial needs,” SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel F. Dooc said. Aside from the calamity loan, qualified members can also tap into the direct house repair and improvement loan, while pensioners can receive and advance three-month pension. Areas declared by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council under a state of calamity due to Usman were Oriental Mindoro, Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur. Calamity loan applications will be accepted until April 29, while house repair and improvement loans will be open until Jan. 29, 2020.

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