Manila: Senator Imee Marcos on Tuesday urged government agencies and lending institutions to implement at least a one-month payment moratorium for employees, farmers, fisherfolk, cooperatives, private-sector workers, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) affected by recent typhoons.

According to Philippines News Agency, the senator highlighted that this measure would provide temporary relief to those who have lost their livelihoods due to the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-wong) and Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi). The appeal comes in the wake of the Government Service Insurance System’s (GSIS) announcement of a three-month grace period on emergency loan payments for government employees and pensioners in affected areas.

Marcos emphasized the need to extend assistance beyond government employees, stating, “It’s not only government employees who were affected; we must also help private workers and small entrepreneurs because they are the first to lose income during disasters.” She called on other institutions, such as the Social Security System, Pag-IBIG Fund, Small Business Corp., and the Department of Agriculture, to offer similar payment holidays.

In addition, Marcos urged that workers receive their full pay without deductions to aid their recovery from the typhoon’s impact. She also criticized the government’s flood-control projects, which she claimed worsened the flooding effects, stating that victims of both the typhoon and flawed infrastructure should not be neglected.

With the Christmas season approaching, Marcos appealed to authorities for swift action to ensure affected families do not face the holidays without support, stressing the importance of immediate recovery efforts for those impacted by the recent disasters.