MEMBERS of the Philippine Government Employees Association (PGEA) had the chance to speak directly with GSIS leadership during the 2025 Annual Members’ Conference on May 22 at the GSIS head office. The conference opened the floor for government employees to raise concerns and share suggestions to help shape GSIS programs and services to better meet their needs.

GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso said, “Listening to our members and pensioners guides us in making real improvements. it is a principle that steers the improvement of our programs and services. The feedback we receive helps ensure that our services remain relevant, accessible, and truly responsive to the evolving needs of government workers and retirees.”

During the open forum, PGEA members asked about accessing the MPL Max loan and the Lease with Option to Buy housing program. Members also raised the possibility of increasing the HMO coverage beyond the current Php7,000 provided by the Department of Budget and Management. The concern was raised to explore options for broader health benefits for government workers.

The GSIS said it is working directly with HMO providers to make medical assistance more accessible. By handling the procurement for health insurance, the GSIS aims to secure better options and pricing for members by leveraging economies of scale. Members were also reminded they can use the MPL Flex or MPL Lite loan to increase their medical coverage beyond the existing Php7,000 medical assistance, giving them options on pricing, depending on their health needs.

Members pointed out the need for alternatives to the GSIS Touch mobile app and asked that manual processing options remain available, especially for those who face difficulties with digital tools.

To address this, the GSIS encouraged members to visit any GSIS Digital Service Center nationwide for personal assistance. The pension fund also provided a QR code at the conference to link members to more information on GSIS programs and services.

The event recognized the first graduating class of the GSIS-PGEA Speakers’ Bureau, a program launched to promote accurate information and combat misinformation about GSIS services. Twenty-seven (27) new GSIS ambassadors and trained speakers from Luzon and Mindanao received certificates during the ceremony.

The GSIS also delivered updates on its loan programs, housing, insurance, and its ongoing digital transformation. These initiatives stem from a memorandum of understanding with PGEA, signed in June 2024, aimed at strengthening support and education for public sector employees.

“We are grateful to the GSIS for giving PGEA members this opportunity. In less than a year, we have established the Speakers’ Bureau and now held this annual conference,” said PGEA President Esperanza Ocampo. She highlighted this year’s GSIS 88th anniversary theme—“Basta Sama Sama, Tuloy Tuloy ang Ginhawa”—which reflects the strong partnership between the pension fund and PGEA.