By ARGYLL CYRUS B. GEDUCOS
Malacañang said Thursday that Pag-IBIG members affected by typhoon “Rolly” may borrow up to 80 percent of their total Pag-IBIG regular savings and pay it back within 24 months.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the announcement as he led the Palace press briefing in typhoon-hit Catanduanes Thursday afternoon.
In his presser, Roque said the calamity loan is already ready for Pag-IBIG members who were affected by the typhoon.
“Eligible members may borrow up to 80 percent of their total Pag-IBIG regular savings,” he said.
“Maaaring i-avail ang calamity loan within 90 days mula sa idedeklarang state of calamity sa kanilang lugar,” he added.
According to Roque, the calamity loan is payable in 24 months and the first payment will be deferred.
“Ang initial payment ay due sa pangatlong buwan pagkatapos ma-release ang loan,” he said.
Meanwhile, Roque announced that the government’s disaster relief aid extended to those affected by Rolly has reached P26.6 million. Beneficiaries of this assistance were from the National Capital Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol region, and Eastern Visayas.
Some P540,440 worth of hygiene kits and collapsible water drinking containers were also distributed while P402,741.20 worth of medicine was allocated for local government units.
The Department of Agriculture has prepared P59 million as an indemnification fund for 32,761 farmers in the Bicol region whose insured crops were damaged by Rolly. The beneficiaries can receive P10,000 to P15,000 in insurance claims.
To allay the fears of a positive food shortage in Catanduanes, Roque said that the Philippine Coast Guard BRP Gabriela Silang is set to bring 60 tons of relief goods and supplies.
“Hindi po papayagan ni Presidente Duterte na magkulang ng tubig at pagkain sa Catanduanes, ‘yan po ang pangako ng Presidente,” he said.
The Department of Energy has also mobilized “Task Force Kapatid” to assist in the restoration of electricity in Bicol and Eastern Visayas.
The Department of Public Works and Highways, according to Roque, continues to conduct clearing operations in the Bicol region. Four national roads in the region remain closed due to collapsed roads and fallen trees and electric posts.
The typhoon has caused P5.76 billion worth of damages to infrastructure.
As of 6 a.m. Thursday, 138,209 people are staying in evacuation centers. Twenty persons have been killed by Rolly as of Wednesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.
