The Social Security System (SSS) has announced that members and pensioners affected by a magnitude 7 earthquake in Abra and nearby areas may now avail themselves of the calamity assistance package until Nov. 14.
SSS president and chief executive officer Michael Regino said the benefit package consisted of calamity loan assistance program CLAP) and three-month advance pension for retirees in earthquake-stricken areas in Abra and Mountain Province.
Hard-hit areas in Mountain Province have been placed under a state of calamity, notably the towns of Bauko and Besao. The earthquake-stricken towns in Abra were 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 declared under a state of calamity by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council or the Sangguniang Bayan, Panglunsod, or Panglalawigan can also avail themselves of the assistance package.
Under the CLAP, qualified members can secure a loan equivalent to their one month salary credit computed based on the average of their last 12 MSCs or the amount they applied for, whichever is lower.
Retirement, disability, and survivor pensioners under the Social Security Program and disability and survivor pensioners under the Employees’ Compensation Program may also apply for a three-month advance pension. Interested SSS and EC pensioners must be residents of the earthquake-stricken areas declared under the state of calamity.