Congressman Rene L. Relampagos, whose district in the province of Bohol was the worst hit by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Social Security System (SSS) for heeding the call of the Boholanos. During the meeting of the House of Representatives Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization, Cong. Rene requested SSS for the grant of special loan packages for the earthquake-stricken Boholanos. SSS replied that they have already formulated a relief package which includes early renewal of salary loans, relaxed loan terms for home repairs and advance release of three months worth of pensions. The deadline for application, according to SSS, is November 29, 2013. Cong. Relampagos appealed for the extension of the said deadline in consideration of the present situation in the province which continues to make transportation, access to information and documents a problem.

SSS immediately acted on the request, and less than twenty fours after the meeting, Vice President May Catherine Ciriaco of the Management Services and Planning Division, informed the lawmaker of the decision of the Social Security Commission in extending deadline for application for salary loan and 3 months advance pension from November 29, 2013 to April 30, 2014. Deadline for application for the housing repair loan has also been moved to October 2014. Cong. Relampagos said that, “the quick response of SSS in extending the period of application for the relief package really humbles us, the Boholanos, and affirms the Filipino spirit of solicitude and unity in tragedy.” He prays for the same with GSIS, Pag-Ibig Fund and other financial institutions.

Last October 23, 2013, Cong. Relampagos filed House Resolution No. 430, which seeks the grant of special loan packages for the people of Bohol and requests the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GCG) to ensure that the guidelines of the said loans shall be liberal in favor of the victims “in terms of application, coverage, documentary requirements, waiver of processing fees, terms and manner of payment, rates of interest which should be pegged at not more than 3% per annum, if possible, and deadline for application, which shall be no less than a year from the formulation and dissemination of the guidelines.” Cong. Relampagos said that responses and support such as these give the Boholanos the needed boost to help them rebuild their damaged homes, rehabilitate their businesses, pay for medical expenses and cope with the devastation of the earthquake.