STATE pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) announced it has extended the application deadline for the GSIS Computer Loan program until December 31, 2021.
A statement quoted GSIS President and General Manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet as saying that the program “is intended to assist government employees in purchasing a computer unit for their online work or even for the virtual classes of their children.”
Macasaet explained that under the program, GSIS members may borrow P30,000, payable in three years at an interest of 6 percent per annum.
“The loan is very member-friendly as it has a monthly amortization of only P983.33,” the GSIS chief said. “And the application may be done online.”
Since its launch in November last year, a total of 109,000 government workers have so far availed of the loan, accordin to the statement by the GSIS.
The GSIS cited Ronald Allan Santa Ana of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) as having expressed appreciation for the program.
The GSIS said Santa Ana was able to buy a laptop that he uses for personal and work-related matters. The GSIS statement described Santa Ana as a senior Tesda staff who develops guidelines for flexible learning delivery modes (online, distance learning, on-the-job training) used in technical vocational courses. As TESDA implements alternative work arrangements, Santa Ana brings his new laptop to the office and when he goes home to Pangasinan.
Macasaet expressed elation of news people like Santa Ana are benefiting from the program.
“Natupad ang layunin natin na mabigyang ginhawa ang mga empleyado ng gobyerno sa tulong ng ating Computer Loan. Marami sa kanila at mga anak nila na nag-aaral ang nangangailangan ng computer at stable na WiFi connection lalo na ngayong may pandemya. Wala pang isang libo ang monthly amortization kaya abot-kaya ng marami,’’ Macasaet was quoted as saying.
(Our goal of providing comfort to government employees with the help of our computer loan program has been fulfilled. Many of them and their children who are studying need a computer and stable WiFi connection especially now that there is a pandemic. The monthly amortization is less than a thousand so it is affordable for many.)
Qualified to apply for the Computer Loan are active members who: have paid at least three months of premiums; have permanent appointment; are not on leave of absence without pay; have no pending administrative or criminal case; have no arrears under the GSIS Financial Assistance Loan (GFAL); have no past due GSIS loan except housing loan; and, are not under suspended agencies.
In addition, they should have a net take-home pay of not lower than the amount required by the General Appropriations Act after all monthly obligations have been deducted.
Loan proceeds will be directly credited to the borrower’s GSIS eCard or Unified Multipurpose Identification card.