The Department of Education (DepEd) is extending a calamity loan of up to P20, 000.00 to teachers and non-teaching personnel who were directly affected by Typhoon Maring and “habagat” monsoon rains.

DepEd Order (DO) no. 10 s. 2011 sets the maximum amount of calamity loan which can be availed at Php20, 000.00 with an interest rate of 6% per annum. The loan is payable in 24 equal monthly installments for two years, automatically deducted in the payroll.

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said applications for calamity loan must be received within two months after the area has been declared under the state of calamity. “This is an urgent measure to promptly respond to our teachers who need help returning to their normal lives after tragedy,” said Luistro.

Apart from the DepEd loan, teachers and non-teaching personnel may also avail of the emergency loan provided by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). GSIS members may apply through any of the 147 GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosks located within the calamity areas. Granting of emergency loans will start on August 24, 2013.

GSIS members may avail of the loan only if their area is under a state of calamity. For members who do not have eCards but are eligible to apply for a loan, they may apply over-the-counter at any GSIS office and will be issued a temporary eCard. Eligible members may loan up to PhP20, 000.00 payable in 36 equal monthly installments.

Another available loan option is the Pag-ibig Calamity Loan Program. Eligibility would require the member to live within the area under the state of calamity, to have at least 24 monthly contributions, and to be an active member of the Pag-ibig program –having made 5 contributions within the last 6 months prior to the application. A member may loan up to 80% of one’s total accumulated value (TAV) with an interest rate of 5.95% per annum. The loan is payable up to 24 months – 3 months reprieve and would start payments on the 4th month.

The Civil Service Commission also reiterates its issuance of the Special Emergency Leave through the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular (CSC MC) No. 2, s. 2012. This shall be granted to employees directly affected by Typhoon Maring and the “habagat” monsoon. Those living in areas declared under the state of calamity, or were gravely affected based on proof and evidence are the requirements for eligibility. The emergency leave will be a maximum of 5 days in a year. Availing of it should be within 30 days from the actual occurrence of the natural calamity/disaster. Any extensions made would be under the discretion of the agency.