Tuesday, October 03, 2006 Group bats for speedy processing of calamity loans to typhoon-affected workers
THE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Monday pressed for the immediate release of calamity loans to help typhoon-affected employees cope with the loss of properties and damage to their homes caused by typhoon Milenyo.
The TUCP said the government and other financial institutions in the country should put up express lanes for the processing of calamity loans.
According to TUCP president Democrito Mendoza, nearly 10 million people were affected by Milyeno.
Aside from using a calamity loan for the repair of their houses, the affected workers and their families also need money to buy medicines, for health-related expenses, purchase clothes, and to send money to their loved ones in the provinces who were also affected by the typhoon.
Mendoza said the release of calamity loans often takes a long time because workers are required to submit documents and other certifications from local government offices.
"There are also cases wherein workers are required to present barangay certifications that they are bonafide residents otherwise their loans would not be processed without the certifications" he added.
"While we appreciate the need for documentary requirements, we appeal for compassion and understanding since we all witnessed the disaster," Mendoza said.
Since it is important that the needs of the workers be provided, Mendoza said funding institutions like the Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Pag-ibig relax the policy on documentary requirements.
"The workers and their families have suffered enough from the typhoon and the last thing they need is to stand in long lines and waste precious time when applying for loans," Mendoza added. (MSN/Sunnex)
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