Manila, July 24 -- The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) opened its emergency loan for members and pensioners in four calamity-hit areas following the onslaught of the former Severe Tropical Storm Crising (international name Wipha) and the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat).

GSIS officer-in-charge Juliet Bautista said the loan is now available to qualified members and pensioners in Cavite, Quezon City, Umingan in Pangasinan, and Calumpit in Bulacan.

"This emergency loan is one way we can quickly respond to the needs of our members and pensioners affected by the recent calamities," Bautista said in a statement Thursday.

The loan application period runs until Aug. 23 for those in Umingan and Calumpit, and until Oct. 23 for tho...