The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) recently opened a one-time condonation program for “Study Now, Pay Later” (SNPL) student-grantees and “Fly PAL, Pay Later” (FPPL) member-borrowers with outstanding accounts. The condonation program will run until July 24, 2014.
SNPL grantees (and their co-makers) and FPPL borrowers who will pay the outstanding balance in full will enjoy 100% condonation of all surcharges.
Under the condonation program, grantees and borrowers should pay in full their outstanding accounts within three months after they have submitted their application form for condonation. If the full amount is not settled within three months, program availees may resubmit their application form before July 24, 2014.
Loan interests, the GSIS said, will be computed up to the month of full payment.
SNPL is an educational program that was implemented in 1976. The program was in compliance with Presidential Decree No. 932, which specifies various schemes in the implementation of the SNPL.
This later evolved into the Educational Assistance Loan (EAL) approved in 1988; and in 1998, the program was amended by RA 8545, an act providing assistance to students and teachers in private education.
A similar credit facility for travel assistance was offered by the GSIS under the Fly PAL, Pay Later (FPPL) Program, which ran from 1978 to 1989.
All SNPL grantees and FPPL borrowers with outstanding accounts have been informed of the condonation program through a letter from the GSIS. Interested borrowers may visit the nearest GSIS branch office or call the contact center at 847-4747 for more details. (PR)
GSIS Offers Condonation Program For “Study Now, Pay Later,” “Fly PAL, Pay Later” accounts
Basey fishermen receives motorized bancas from ABS-CBN Foundation


BASEY,Samar – A total of 53 fishermen who are members of the San Antonio Fisherfolks Association, this town, were given motorized fishing bancas with fishing gears to restore their livelihood which they lost to supertyphoon Yolanda.
The motorized fishing bancas were awarded in simple rites at the shoreline of Barangay San Antonio. Rev. Fr. Rex M. Ibañez, priest In-charge of San Antonio de Padua Mission Center, blessed the motorized fishing bancas and fishing gears.
The fisherfolks were organized for a “bayanihan” system in boat building as well as in the fabrication of their fishing gears. On the other hand, ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya provided the design and specifications of the motorized fishing banca and all pre-cut boat materials, fishing gear supplies and engines. Boat makers of Rouvia Company from Mariveles, Bataan conducted hands-on training on boat building among the skilled fisherfolks. Bamboo for outriggers and floats were the counterpart of the local government.
The fisherfolks were then led to recite their pledge to engage in lawful fishing activities to support their families and never to engage in dynamite fishing and other illegal fishing methods by pledge to engage in lawful fishing activities to support their families and never to engage in dynamite fishing and other illegal fishing methods by Regina “Gina” Paz Lopez, managing director of ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation.
The event was attended by the bigwigs of ABS-CBN, Norie Garcia, program director of Bantay Kalikasan, Arch. Rozanno Rosal, FUAP, national president of the United Architects of the Philippines , John Brown from Australia and Mayor Igmedio Junji Ponferrada.
The motorized fishing bancas simultaneously went offshore to catch fish within the San Pedro Bay area fronting the barangay. About an hour after the formal launching, fisherman Eduardo Dacer brought to the convent of the San Antonio de Padua Mission Center the first catch of over a kilo of fresh fishes which he presented to lawyer Rey Delgado, ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya project coordinator for Samar.
The fresh catch elated Lopez and her companions who witnessed the fruition of their livelihood assistance.
The livelihood project for the fisherfolks was the first response to the devastated people of San Antonio who were hardly hit by the super typhoon Yolanda which devastated the entire barangay and all forms of livelihood and economic activities.
The livelihood project is now expanding its boat making and fishing gear fabrication activities following community organizing and values formation in barangays San Fernando, Basiao, Catadman, Balud, Anglit, Sugca, Iba, Salvacion, Loyo, and Baybay. Thereafter, the project will continue in barangays Palaypay, Canmanila, Bacubac and Tingib, all of the municipality of Basey in Samar province. (AL ELLEMA)
Government agencies form convergence to help Yolanda victims
GOVERNMENT CENTER, PALO, Leyte- The departments of labor and employment, agriculture and science and technology and trade and industry have partnered to help victims of the supertyphoon Yolanda.
The convergence of these government offices is in line with the policy of President Aquino to ensure a fast and better delivery of services to the people, said Regional Director Exequiel Sarcauga of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Aside from the DOLE, the Departments of Agriculture, Science and Technology and Trade and Industry, the Visayas State University is also part of the convergence.
Sarcauga explained that the convergence program was crafted by the national government to help address the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in all Yolanda- affected areas.
“If you try to take a look at it, one of the functions of the DOLE is to provide livelihood assistance to both the formal and informal sector. However the livelihood projects of these sectors can be more sustainable if it is prepared in such a way that it becomes viable and feasible” the DOLE director said.
Sarcauga believed that the livelihood projects needs the interventions for them to be sustained.
The convergence is focused in three important things- first, it should be technology driven; second, it should be resource based and third, it should be sustainable.
Under the scheme, the DOST would provide the needed technology with the DOLE providing the needed funding and tools, among others.
The DA would help identify the market and raw materials, Sarcauga said. (LIZBETH ANN ABELLA)
Bobon town mayor bares programs, accomplishments
BOBON, Northern Samar- The mayor of this town is serious in addressing the basic needs of his people which includes livelihood, infrastructures, health and nutrition and providing scholarship to poor but deserving students.
Mayor Reny Acero-Celespara, 43, said that he would fulfil these “priorities” as he is aware that these would help improve his fourth-class town and become economically developed.
The town mayor said that he is also pushing for the development of their tourist spots as another engine of growth. The town of Bobon is known for its beautiful and powdery sand beaches, waterfalls and caves that could attract tourists who want to commune with nature.
Mayor Celespara is also helping his people earn a living through his various livelihood projects. Since he assumed his post in 2010, he initiated several livelihood projects such as fruit, fish and vegetable vending, hog fattening.
Persons with disabilities and those coming from indigent families were the primary beneficiaries of the town mayor’s job programs. They could even borrow financial loan from the local government unit as high as P20, 000 without interest of payment.
“Sa aton mga programa, damo gud maupay an at katuyuanan, salit waray rason nga dere magigin malinampuson, labihan san padayon nga suporta san mga empleyado ug igkasi ko mga opisyal san aton bungto”, Mayor Celespara said.
He also announced that since September,2013, the residents of Barangay Acedera and Trojillo have been enjoying safe and potable water with the construction of a level II water supply system with 48 communal faucets.
The water is source from a spring in Brgy. Trojillo. The project cost at P6 million under the Salintubig Project of the Department of Health.
Likewise, Celespara, who is a registered nurse by profession, revealed that a rural health unit is now being enjoyed by his people. The construction of the two-storey facility was donated by Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera at P3 million.
The facility houses with laboratory, sputum collection area, dental services among other medical and health care needs especially, the lying-in or delivery room.
At present, his administration is paying the tuition fees and other benefits to 462 students under his scholarship program. The local government set aside about P866,000 a year for this program which was supported by then Governor Paul Daza and his father, ex-Rep. Raul Daza.
The town mayor, who was once was a village chairman and town councilor, also plans to put up a website for easy access of the people, particularly visitors and tourists. Also, this will help the public be informed on what he is doing as mayor of their town.
Mayor Celespara is always in contact with other officials of the town, to include his department heads for updates of their programs and projects geared for the betterment of his town and people. (PETER D. PAREDES)
100 poor students from Yolanda-hit areas qualify for SM scholarship program
TACLOBAN CITY- The SM Foundation Inc, the socio-civic group arm of the SM Group of Companies, is offering 100 slots under its scholarship program for this year for Eastern Visayas .
And all their prospective scholars come from Yolanda-hit areas, a way to help the cash-strapped families of the students who could qualify their scholarship program, said Linda Atayde, SM Foundation Inc. director for education.
The program is now on its 21st year although it was just launched last year in the region with 20 slots.
For year, 100 slots were made available though more than 1,000 students took the test and interview held last February.
The students came from Yolanda-hit areas like Tacloban City and other Leyte towns and from Basey in Samar .
Those who have a weighted average of 88 percent from the second or third grading periods and whose annual family income is just P150,000 were the qualifications set for one to qualify for the SM scholarship.
“We’re very surprised that there were 1,100 applicants who came over to our recruitment site at Leyte Normal University (LNU) where we conducted our examination and interview,” Atayde said.
Atayde added that they have conducted a background check in which they personally visited the residence of the probable scholars, talked to their parents, neighbors, and schools were they are enrolled in order to ensure that those who will qualify the college scholarship are really indigents.
Aside from the free tuition, included also in the scholarship are allowances for books, school supplies, board and lodging, and transportation.
The scholars of the SM Foundation may apply for the following courses: BS in Computer Science; BS in Information Technology; BS in Information Management; BS in Electronics and Communications Engineering; BS in Computer Engineering; BS in Civil Engineering; BS in Electrical Engineering; BS in Mechanical Engineering; BS in Elementary Education; BS in Secondary Education; and BS in Accountancy BSC/BSBA major in Accountancy.
Upon graduation, scholars are offered jobs with the SM Group although they may opt to work elsewhere if they so desire. (RYAN GABRIEL LLOSAR ARCENAS)
Knights of Columbus extends financial assistance to families who lost due to Yolanda
PALO, Leyte- The Knights of Columbus extended financial assistance to the 22 of its members who perished during the supertyphoon Yolanda.
The giving of P5,000 cash assistance to the members of the family of those who were killed by the massive typhoon was led by no less than the Visayas State Deputy Rodrigo Sorongon last week.
“Of course I am happy for this financial assistance extended by the Knights of Columbus to us who lost their loved ones during Yolanda. Still, the money would remain to be not of big concern to us considering that in my case, I lost a grandson,” said Emilio Lim who was among those who received the financial help.
Lim lost his grandson Joven, 24, during the typhoon when their house located at Magallanes area was destroyed by the storm surge generated by Yolanda, considered to be the worst typhoon on record in the world.
The giving of financial assistance to the members of the Knights of Columbus whose members died during the disaster was held at the San Joaquin Church, this town.
The churchyard had become a mass gravesite with more than 200 people, including children, were hastily buried.
Sorongon said that the financial assistance extended to the next of kin who lost their loved ones during the typhoon is just one way of showing their support to them.
During the giving of the assistance, Sorongon was assisted by Allan Nicolas Ouano, administration assistance for Eastern and Central Visayas and Teofrido Lagrea, regional deputy. (JOEY A. GABIETA)