The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has recorded over P5.7 billion in solar energy loan applications as of April 21, signaling a surge in demand among civil servants to offset high utility costs through renewable energy.
The state pension fund’s Ginhawa Solar Energy Loan (GSEL) program converts a policy push by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for household-level renewable energy into a practical financing tool for government employees.
“Through GSEL, we are helping our members take control of their electricity costs by giving them access to financing for solar panels,” GSIS president and General Manager Wick Veloso said. “For many families, the immediate value is the savings it can bring month after month.”
Under the P12.5 billion initiative, eligible members can secure loans of up to P500,000 at a 5% annual interest rate. The debt is payable over 60 months, with a maximum monthly amortization set at P10,416.67.
The package includes three years of free insurance for the solar hardware, supported by a P60 million allocation within the total program budget.
To qualify, applicants must have an active GSIS membership with at least three years of government service, a minimum of six months of paid premium contributions, and no GSIS loans in default (excluding housing loans).
The GSIS is processing applications exclusively through its GSIS Touch mobile application, part of a push to digitize member services and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy.
