Manila, Aug. 14 -- Qualified Social Security System (SSS) members in areas under a state of calamity may now avail of an emergency loan.

"Ipinapaalala lang namin sa ating mga kababayan na bukas pa rin ang ating emergency loan program na puwede pong [mag-apply ang] ating mga miyembro ng SSS. We would like to remind our countrymen that our emergency loan program is still open for our SSS members to apply for," SSS Vice President Carlo Villacorta said in a Radyo Pilipinas interview Thursday.

Villacorta said the emergency loan program offers up to PHP20,000 at a reduced interest rate of 7 percent per annum, with a six-month repayment moratorium.

The member must have at least 18 monthly contributions and have a valid Philippine home addres...