GSIS offers 3-month loan moratorium with cash refund

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is offering government employees cash refunds of up to P111,000 each under its modified three-month loan moratorium, aimed at easing the impact of the Middle East war on rising living costs.

Under the program dubbed “Balik Ginhawa,” GSIS will return three months’ worth of loan amortizations covering December 2025 to February 2026 to qualified members who apply via the GSIS Touch mobile app. Refunds will be credited directly to the applicant’s account.

GSIS said the average member pays around P37,000 per month in nonhousing loans, which makes three months’ worth of payments add up to P111,000 in a lump sum.

However, the actual refund for each member will depend on their loan records.

Once approved, the loan term will be extended by three months with no additional interest or penalties.

“In this way, you can use it immediately for your needs. Regular salary deductions will continue to ensure the order and stability of GSIS, and to safeguard the welfare of its members,” GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso said in a statement on Wednesday.

‘Uplift’ initiative

The loan moratorium comes after President Marcos declared a state of national energy emergency, giving government agencies legal authority to implement measures to ensure energy stability and protect the economy.

The initiative aligns with the administration’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport or “Uplift” program, which aims to ease the economic impact of the war.

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Eligible members and pensioners include those with existing loans that are not in default, with no arrearages and with actual remittances during the covered months. Applications may be submitted until Oct. 31.

About 3.2 million members are expected to benefit from the moratorium, with roughly P19 billion set to be refunded.

“We are fully aligned with the President’s directive to ease the burden on our government workers. Through the Balik Ginhawa program, GSIS is ready to provide immediate and meaningful financial relief to our members when they need it most,” Veloso added.