Eight municipalities in Mindoro provinces are among the areas eligible for calamity loans from the Social Security System (SSS) following the onslaught of tropical storm Kristine, officials announced Monday.

Puerto Galera, Naujan, Victoria, Pola, Socorro, Pinamalayan, Mansalay, and Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro, along with Paluan and Looc in Occidental Mindoro, were declared under state of calamity by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Other areas under state of calamity include parts of Pangasinan, Isabela, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, Eastern Samar, Cotabato, Ifugao, and Metro Manila.

SSS Officer-in-Charge Voltaire P. Agas said affected members can apply for loans worth up to P20,000 pesos until December 19, 2024.

“Our country was battered by multiple tropical storms in less than a month, making life extremely difficult for our kababayans in devastated areas,” Agas said.

The calamity loan program also covers areas affected by tropical storms Marce, Nika, Ofel, and Pepito across multiple regions, including provinces in Luzon and Eastern Visayas.

To qualify, members must have at least 36 monthly contributions, with six contributions posted within the last 12 months.

They must also be residents of declared calamity areas and have no outstanding loans or final benefit claims.

Alternatively, affected members can apply for a salary loan of up to P40,000 pesos if they meet additional requirements, including having 72 monthly contributions and being under 65 years old.

Applications can be submitted online through the SSS website, with loan proceeds credited to members’ UMID-ATM cards or PESONet-participating bank accounts.

The loans are payable in 24 monthly installments at a 10 percent annual interest rate.