Date Posted: September 27, 2019
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is now accepting applications for the GSIS Financial Assistance Loan (GFAL) from employees of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) nationwide.
GSIS, represented by Executive Vice President (EVP) Nora Malubay of the Core Business Sector, and PhilHealth, led by President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ricardo Morales, signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) in Pasig City last September 9, which will give the PhilHealth employees access to the loan facility.
Under the MOA, employees of the state health insurance agency may now transfer and consolidate their loans with lending institutions under GFAL. They will pay their outstanding loan obligations directly to GSIS through salary deduction.
The maximum GFAL loan amount is Php500,000. GFAL borrowers whose outstanding loans with lenders do not exceed Php500,000 may also opt to borrow the remaining amount through the Top-Up Loan, with the proceeds directly released to the member.
GFAL intends to help GSIS members manage their finances, take home higher pay, and secure their retirement benefits from future deductions. GFAL is payable at a longer term of up to six years and lower interest rate of six percent per annum.
EVP Malubay explained that GFAL was launched in May 2018 in response to the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte. Personnel of the Department of Education were initially identified as qualified borrowers. Starting July 29, 2019, GFAL has been extended to all its members whose agencies will enter into a MOA with GSIS.
President and CEO Morales thanked GSIS for opening GFAL to PhilHealth, which has around 6,000 employees across the country. He also expressed hope that the financial literacy seminar required under GFAL will help their employees improve their spending habits and manage their finances well.
To qualify for GFAL, applicants must be permanent government employees with outstanding loan from private lending institutions, government banks, or cooperatives accredited or recognized by their agency; have paid premiums with the GSIS for at least three years; have no due and demandable loan account with the GSIS; not be on leave without pay; have a net take-home pay of not lower than Php5,000 after deduction of monthly obligations; and have no pending administrative case or criminal charge.
A borrower with pending case is still eligible to apply for GFAL if the case was filed by a lending institution due to nonpayment as a result of the prioritization of payroll deductions.
For inquiries, interested parties may visit the GSIS website, www.gsis.gov.ph, or Facebook account, @gsis.ph; email gsiscares@gsis.gov.ph; or call the GSIS Contact Center at 847-4747 if in Metro Manila or 1-800-8-847-4747 (for Globe [free with minimum Php8.00 load] and TM subscribers) or 1-800-10-847-4747 (for Smart, Sun, and Talk ‘N Text subscribers; Php8.00/call)
