He made the clarification after receiving inquiries from workers whose families were not affected by the typhoon.
Tayag said the Philippine Consulate General has yet to receive an advisory if the calamity loan program will be extended to the victims of Typhoon Pepeng.
Under the loan guidelines and procedures, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration is allocating an initial 10 million pesos, or $212,000, in economic relief for overseas workers or their family members residing in Metro Manila, Regions III and IV, which were badly affected by Typhoon Ondoy.
According to the Philippine Consulate General, a qualified beneficiary can apply for an interest-free loan of up to 10,000 pesos, or $212, with no need for collaterals.
The loan is payable within 24 months with a 120-day grade period.
Any interested Filipino worker or his/her dependent family member may submit the following requirements to the nearest regional OWWA office in the Philippines:
• Certification from an authorized official of a local government unit;
• Proof of active OWWA membership — valid certificate of coverage or official receipt;
• Proof of relationship to the overseas Filipino worker if the applicant is a dependent of the worker; and,
• A duly accomplished application form.
For inquiries, Filipino workers in the CNMI may visit the Philippine Overseas Labor Office on the ground floor of the Marianas Business Plaza in Susupe, or call welfare officer Rey Tayag at 235-6992.
