Pag-IBIG approves P32 M in calamity loans for Zambo residents

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay said that the Pag-IBIG Fund approved P32 million in calamity loans for its members in this city in response to calamity brought by the standoff between soldiers and Moro National Liberation Front forces.

Binay, who is also the chairman of Pag-IBIG, said that the loans of 1,732 members were already approved while 4,000 applications were being processed.

He said that Pag-IBIG has also offered a three-month moratorium on housing loan payments to borrowers whose properties mortgaged with the mutual fund have been damaged by the armed conflict.

Housing loan borrowers may apply for the moratorium if their loan account is updated prior to the declaration of the state of calamity.

The National Home Mortgaged Finance Corp. also implemented a six-month moratorium on the amortization payments for borrowers affected by the armed conflict.

So far, Pag-IBIG has identified at least 95 damaged properties worth P76 million in barangays Rio Hondo, Mariki, Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina and Kasanyangan, which were devastated by the 22-day standoff that started on Sept. 9.

“Pag-IBIG is committed to help ease the suffering of the people of Zamboanga and assist them as they recover from the crisis,” Binay said.

Center for pregnant women, new mothers

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), meanwhile, set up at the JFE Sports Complex, the biggest evacuation center in Zamboanga City, the “Buntis at Bagong Panganak Friendly Center,” which caters to the special needs of pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Social Welfare Sec. Corazon Soliman said the center provides “space for pregnant women and lactating mothers to relieve stress in consideration of their special needs.”

“The women are also engaged in light activities like sewing baby blankets, cloth diapers and baby pillowcases inside the centers,” she added.

The center, in partnership with the Department of Health, has been operating for two weeks and has been providing health-related services to more than 200 pregnant women, lactating mothers and their newborn babies.

However, thousands of evacuees in JFE Sports Complex were relocated as the facility was flooded due to incessant rains triggered by a low-pressure area near Mindanao, the local crisis management committee (CMC) said.

The evacuees, camped in tents provided by different international relief organizations, were drenched from the two days of continuous rain since Friday.

Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salara, CMC chair, said the bulk of the displaced civilians were relocated to the City High School West, which is adjacent to the sports stadium. 

– With Evelyn Macairan