GSIS working on 'computer loan' for teachers, educational loan for state workers' kin

State workers’ pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is preparing two new loan packages for its members to help them cope with the changes brought by the COVID-19 crisis.

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV, GSIS president and general manager Rolando Macasaet said the pension fund is working on a computer loan program for public school teachers and educational loan which can be availed by a government worker-member’s relatives.

“I will prepare a computer loan program for all the teachers nationwide para ang mga guro natin magkaroon ng magandang computer para ho dito sa mga online [education] na ginagawa ni Secretary [Leonor] Briones tsaka ang utos ni Presidente na hopefully makapag online [classes] tayo,” Macasaet said.

The GSIS chief said he is now preparing the details of the computer loan program, which an eligible member can avail of at least P20,000.

“This will be payable over two years siguro, with minimal interest rate para matulungan ang ating mga teachers,” Macasaet said, adding the pension fund will simplify the requirements for the loan program.

“Sabi ko i-simplify... basta may resibo na binili ng teacher [ang computer] bayaran na agad ang refund,” he said.

Meanwhile, Macasaet said that livelihood and job losses during the crisis will compel many parents to transfer their children from private to public schools.

With this, he said, the GSIS is working on providing a 10-year educational loan, which can be availed by a member’s next of kin “up to fourth degree of affinity or consanguinity.”

“Ibig sabihin puwede pamangkin,” Macasaet said.

“Babayarin ng GSIS ang tuition mo o ng pamangkin mo for the next four years... wala kang babayaran sa GSIS. Magsisimula ka magbayad on the sixth year,” he added.

“Ibig sabihin four years of college, tapos one year hahanap ng trabaho ang anak mo o pamangkin mo, and then after that you will start paying GSIS.” --KBK, GMA News