The Social Security System (SSS) is now offering its calamity assistance package to members and pensioners in earthquake-stricken areas in Abra and Mountain Province, the pension fund said in a statement yesterday.
Michael Regino, SSS president and chief executive officer, said those affected by the recent magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck Abra and nearby areas may now avail of the Calamity Assistance Package until November 14, 2022.
The Calamity Assistance Package consists of members’ Calamity Loan Assistance Program (CLAP) and the three-month advance pension for pensioners in earthquake-stricken areas in Abra and Mountain Province.
In Mountain Province, towns that are under the state of calamity include Bauko and Besao, while in Abra, these areas are Bangued, Boliney, Bucay, Bucloc, Daguioman, Danglas, Dolores, Lacub, Lagangilang, Lagayan, Langiden, La Paz, Licuan, Luba, Malicbong, Manabo, Penarrubia, Pidigan, Pilar, Sallapadan, San Isidro, San Juan, San Quintin, Tayum, Tineg, Tubo and Villaviciosa.
Regino said members and pensioners residing in other earthquake-affected areas that could be declared under a state of calamity by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council or the Sangguniang Bayan, Panlunsod or Panlalawigan can also avail of the assistance package.
Under the CLAP, qualified members can avail of a loan equivalent to their one-month salary credit (MSC) computed based on the average of their last 12 MSCs or the amount they applied for, whichever is lower.
Meanwhile, retirement, disability and survivor pensioners under the Social Security (SS) Program and disability and survivor pensioners under the Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program may also apply for a three-month advance pension.
Interested SS and EC pensioners must be residents of the earthquake-stricken areas declared under the state of calamity.
However, retirement pensioners who have existing loans under the Pension Loan Program cannot avail of the three-month advance pension.
“Through this SSS Calamity Assistance Package, we can offer immediate financial aid to our members and pensioners as they try to recover from the effects of the recent earthquake,” Regino said. – Angela Celis
