GSIS grants 3-month loan moratorium to government workers

The Government Service Insurance System is now implementing a three-month loan moratorium via a refund scheme for government workers. 

In its statement, GSIS explained it would implement the Balik Ginhawa program "to provide relief to government workers while maintaining the stability of the fund, in line with the national government's continuing efforts to ease the financial burden on Filipinos." 

Through the program, GSIS is offering to refund three months of members' payments for loans taken out between December 2025 and February 2026. The funds will be deposited directly into members' bank accounts and will be available for immediate use. 

While loan deductions will continue, there will be no added interest or penalties for the three-month refund. The loan term will just be extended by three months. 

Unlike more common loan moratoriums, where debtors may temporarily stop payments for a specific period, Balik Ginhawa's refund mechanism allows members to receive the equivalent of three months' loan payments all at once. 

"Sa ganitong paraan, agad ninyo itong magagamit para sa inyong mga pangangailangan. Mananatili ang regular na salary deductions upang mapanatili ang kaayusan at katatagan ng GSIS, at upang patuloy na mapangalagaan ang kapakanan ng mga miyembro nito," said GSIS president and general manager Wick Veloso. 

According to Veloso, Balik Ginhawa is GSIS' way of contributing to government efforts in extending timely support to workers in the public sector. 

Members may apply for the Balik Ginhawa program on the GSIS Touch app. 

This is a voluntary program; members may choose not to opt in. 

The assistance comes as Filipinos are tightening their belts in the midst of a widespread fuel crisis, brought on by the month-long Iran war.