Pasay City: The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) showcased its ongoing shift toward member-centered governance and digital service delivery during the 2025 Annual Members' Conference of the Philippine Government Employees Association (PGEA) held at the GSIS head office in Pasay City.
According to Philippines News Agency, the state pension fund said on Monday that rather than simply presenting updates, the event served as a platform for active dialogue between GSIS leadership and government employees, who raised specific concerns on healthcare coverage, housing, and digital accessibility. GSIS President and General Manager Arnulfo Veloso emphasized the role of direct member feedback in shaping policy and reform, stating, 'Listening to our members and pensioners guides us in making real improvements. It ensures our services remain relevant, accessible, and truly responsive.'
Participants in the open forum sought clarity on accessing the Multi-Purpose Loan (MPL) Max and the Lease with Option to Buy housing scheme. Several participants also pressed for expanded health maintenance organization (HMO) benefits, calling for coverage beyond the current PHP7,000 ceiling set by the Department of Budget and Management. In response, the GSIS said it is negotiating directly with HMO providers to secure more affordable and inclusive packages by leveraging bulk procurement strategies. Members were also reminded that loans under MPL Flex or MPL Lite may be used to supplement their health coverage based on individual needs.
Citing digital inclusion as one of the key issues, the GSIS said attendees called for the retention of manual service options for members who face barriers to using the GSIS Touch mobile application. Veloso assured members that traditional channels remain available, and encouraged them to visit Digital Service Centers nationwide. A QR code linking to full service guides was also distributed at the event.
Underscoring its commitment to accurate public information, the GSIS recognized the first 27 graduates of the GSIS-PGEA Speakers' Bureau, a corps of trained member-ambassadors tasked with promoting transparency and combating misinformation about the pension fund's offerings. The conference also featured updates on GSIS loan programs, insurance products, housing initiatives, and the agency's digital transformation -- developments stemming from a June 2024 memorandum of understanding between GSIS and PGEA designed to enhance support for government workers.
PGEA president Esperanza Ocampo hailed the event as a milestone in institutional collaboration. 'We are grateful to GSIS for giving our members this platform. In less than a year, we've launched the Speakers' Bureau and convened this landmark conference,' she said.
