The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has released more than P27 billion in microloans to over 463,000 active government employees as part of its efforts to provide faster and more affordable access to credit while steering borrowers away from informal lenders.
From October 24, 2024 to July 28, 2026, GSIS disbursed P27.29 billion through its Ginhawa Go Program to 463,608 members, reflecting what the state pension fund said is a growing demand for small, easily accessible loans among public sector workers.
The program, formerly known as Ginhawa Lite, was relaunched as Ginhawa Go in February 2026 to strengthen financial inclusion for government employees and offer an alternative to high-interest lending schemes.
According to GSIS, the initiative supports the government’s objective of expanding access to affordable financial services, particularly for workers who need immediate funds for emergencies or other essential expenses without resorting to informal or predatory lenders.
Finance Secretary Frederick Go, who led the relaunch of the program in February, described Ginhawa Go as a safeguard against abusive lending practices that have long affected some government employees.
“This program protects employees from abusive lending processes,” Go said.
Eligible GSIS members may borrow between P1,000 and P50,000 at an annual interest rate of six percent, with repayment periods ranging from 30 days to 24 months depending on the amount borrowed.
The state pension fund said the streamlined application process is another key feature of the program. Members can apply through the GSIS Touch mobile application, with approved loan proceeds deposited directly into their accounts, reducing paperwork and speeding up access to funds.
Each loan also comes with Loan Redemption Insurance, which automatically settles any unpaid balance should the borrower pass away, preventing the debt from becoming a financial burden on surviving family members.
GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso said the sustained uptake of the program indicates that it is addressing a longstanding financing gap among government workers.
“Ginhawa Go answers a basic need for our members: quick, dignified access to credit that will not push them toward informal lenders,” Veloso said.
“The volume moving through this program tells us it is filling a gap our members needed filled,” he added.
Beyond providing immediate financial assistance, GSIS said the program is intended to encourage responsible borrowing by giving members access to reasonably priced credit through formal financial channels instead of relying on loan sharks or other lenders that often impose excessive interest rates and unfavorable repayment terms.
Government employees who qualify for the program may check their eligibility and submit their applications through the GSIS Touch mobile app or at any GSIS branch nationwide.
(MAIN PHOTO: GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso)