GSIS refunds PHP 9 billion under Balik Ginhawa 2
MANILA — The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) refunded more than PHP 9 billion in loan amortizations to over 500,000 members and pensioners during the first 24 days of the expanded Balik Ginhawa 2 program.
The rollout follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to provide timely financial relief to Filipinos.
For beneficiaries, the program provides immediate cash-flow relief rather than debt forgiveness because refunded installments are added to the end of the original loan term.
This arrangement can help government employees and pensioners meet urgent household expenses without having the refunded months treated as missed payments or arrears.
GSIS said Balik Ginhawa 2 accounted for PHP 9.06 billion in refunds.
Combined with refunds under the original Balik Ginhawa program, GSIS has returned more than PHP 18 billion in loan amortizations to qualified members and pensioners.
The original program was implemented over about three months.
Balik Ginhawa 2 surpassed PHP 9 billion and reached more than 500,000 beneficiaries in less than a month.
Qualified borrowers recover previously paid monthly loan amortizations through refunds credited to their registered GSIS disbursement accounts.
Borrowers continue paying their loans under the original terms, while the refunded installments are completed through a corresponding extension of the repayment period.
GSIS has added a feature to the GSIS Touch mobile application for members and pensioners who received less than their expected refund.
The feature allows them to check whether they have a remaining refundable amount and immediately submit another application.
GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso said the feature was intended to prevent qualified borrowers from missing part of their benefit.
“Through this feature, we are making sure that those who are still entitled to a refundable amount can easily verify their eligibility and receive the remaining benefit due them,” Veloso said.
Balik Ginhawa 2 expanded the maximum refund from three to as many as six monthly loan amortizations.
The original program covered eligible payments made from December 2025 through February 2026.
The expanded program also covers eligible payments made from March through May 2026.
Qualified borrowers may therefore recover as many as six months of loan amortizations, subject to the program’s terms and conditions.
Members and pensioners who initially received only a partial refund may log in to the GSIS Touch application to determine whether they qualify for the remaining balance.
Applications are voluntary and must be filed through GSIS Touch.
According to the official Balik Ginhawa 2 guidelines, applications may be submitted from July 1 through Oct. 31, 2026.
Eligible applicants must have an active GSIS loan account, including a housing loan, that is not classified as due and demandable.
Applicants must also have a registered GSIS bank account.
GSIS clarified that refunds are credited exclusively to the member’s designated GSIS bank account and not to a payroll account.
The new mobile feature forms part of GSIS’ continuing effort to simplify transactions, improve service delivery and provide financial relief to government employees and pensioners.
Members and pensioners may obtain more information from the GSIS website, the GSIS Touch mobile application or the agency’s official social media pages.
They may also contact the GSIS Contact Center at 88474747.
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