Manila: The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) returned PHP9.06 billion in loan amortizations to more than 500,000 members and pensioners in just 24 days under the expanded Balik Ginhawa 2 program.

According to Philippines News Agency, the rapid rollout supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to provide timely financial relief to Filipinos. Combined with refunds under the original Balik Ginhawa program, the state pension fund has now returned more than PHP18 billion in amortization payments to qualified borrowers.

The original program took about three months to implement, while Balik Ginhawa 2 crossed the PHP9-billion mark and reached over half a million beneficiaries in less than a month. Under the program, qualified members and pensioners may recover previously paid monthly loan amortizations, with the proceeds credited directly to their designated GSIS bank account.

Borrowers continue paying their loans under the original terms, while the refunded amortizations are settled through a corresponding extension of the loan period. Balik Ginhawa 2 expanded the coverage from three to as many as six monthly amortizations. The original implementation covered eligible payments made from December 2025 to February 2026, while the expanded program also covers those paid from March to May 2026.

GSIS also introduced a feature in its Touch Mobile Application allowing borrowers who received less than their expected refund to check for any remaining refundable amount and immediately submit another application. "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," GSIS president and general manager Wick Veloso said.

GSIS clarified that participation remains voluntary and that refunds are deposited only into the member's designated GSIS account, not the payroll account. Members and pensioners may check their eligibility and apply through the GSIS Touch mobile application.