SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA: The Home Development Mutual Fund, commonly known as Pag-IBIG Fund, has announced the commencement of calamity loan applications for its active members residing in the capital town of Antique. This initiative follows the declaration of San Jose de Buenavista under a state of calamity by the municipal council on October 7.

According to Philippines News Agency, the branch manager of Pag-IBIG Fund Antique, Donald Alton Cahilo, confirmed the acceptance of calamity loan applications in an interview on Wednesday. Active members in the affected region can apply for the loan until January 7, 2025. To be eligible, members must have paid their contributions for the past six months, maintain updated payments on their housing loans, and ensure a net monthly pay of at least PHP5,000 after availing of the calamity loan.

The Pag-IBIG Fund has a membership base of 16,761 individuals in San Jose de Buenavista, who are now entitled to access up to 80 percent of their savings as a part of this initiativ
e. The town was placed under a state of calamity due to the significant damage caused by Tropical Storm Bebinca, also known as Ferdie, which affected 371 farmers, accounting for 31.57 percent of the 1,175 farmers growing high-value crops in the province.