The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) recently hosted an open dialogue with public school teachers, reaffirming its commitment to address their concerns and strengthen engagement with its 2.7 million members.
Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) Chairperson Benjo Basas thanked the pension fund for providing a platform for constructive discussion. “Maraming salamat po sa dialogue na ito. Marami tayong napag-usapan at hopefully ‘yung mga napag-usapan po ay patungo sa resolution ng mga issues raised by the teachers,” Basas said, highlighting the importance of continuous communication between GSIS and the education sector.
GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso assured participants that their funds are being managed prudently and transparently. “We welcome these discussions because they allow us to correct misinformation and assure our members that their funds are managed prudently. Teachers are among our most valued members, and we want them to know that their contributions are safe and continuously growing,” Veloso said.
Addressing online claims, Veloso clarified that GSIS has not invested in gambling-related businesses. He noted that 70 percent of the pension fund’s assets are in risk-free investments such as government securities, member loans, and cash deposits, with only a small portion in equities and real estate.
The agency’s financial strength remains robust, with total assets reaching P1.92 trillion as of August 2025, up from P1.53 trillion in 2022, and a year-to-date net income of P100 billion.
Veloso also highlighted the Ginhawa Loan Bundle programs—Ginhawa Flex, Lite, and Max—which offer flexible and accessible loan options through the GSIS Touch mobile app. “We understand the challenges faced by our teachers. That’s why we’ve made our loan programs more flexible and convenient,” he said.
Newly appointed GSIS Trustee Gilbert Tan Sadsad, representing the Philippine Public School Teachers Association (PPSTA), emphasized his commitment to addressing retirement and financial concerns. “We will do our best na mabawasan o kaya wala na tayong problema sa ating retirement pagdating sa GSIS. We need to work together and bring teachers’ feedback to management and the Board so we can find solutions,” Sadsad said.
The dialogue followed earlier consultations with other educator groups, including the Philippine Government Employees Association (PGEA) and Action and Solidarity for the Empowerment of Teachers (ASSERT), held earlier in October.
“These dialogues strengthen mutual understanding and help us move forward together in ensuring Ginhawa for All,” Veloso concluded.