TEACHERS are molders of society. Many of them spend their entire lives teaching young people to become productive and law abiding citizens.

Despite their noble profession, teachers –particularly in government service—receive very humble compensation. No wonder loans are very important to them.

Unfortunately, they sometimes become victims of loan sharks that charge high interest rates thereby making their plight even more difficult. Others are simply indebted to many creditors. Their salaries are just enough to pay loans.

But it seems the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is not running out of ways to help state workers — especially public school teachers — overcome financial challenges.

This is because the state pension fund is taking new steps to help foster greater transparency in computing teachers’ loans.

The agency recently launched a new lending program with lower interest rates and longer repayment terms.

“We assure the DepEd and all our teachers that the GSIS is continuously working to make our lending process and loan calculations clearer,” GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso said.

In a letter to DepEd Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte, Veloso assured the DepEd that the GSIS is fully aligned with the DepEd MATATAG agenda in assisting teachers to improve their financial capability.

Earlier this month, the GSIS has launched the GSIS Multi-Purpose Loan Flex program (MPL Flex) designed for teachers and other GSIS members.

The new loan program offers a reduced interest rate from 7% to 6% for members with a minimum of three years of premium contributions and an extended repayment period of up to 15 years.

MPL Flex further enables members with just one month of paid premium to apply for the loan and provides a lower service fee than the rate offered by private lenders.

Teachers and members may apply for the MPL Flex via the GSIS Touch mobile app ensuring a streamlined and paperless loan application process.

Starting in June, the pension fund had introduced a detailed payment schedule for Multi-Purpose and emergency loans.

The initiative provides teachers with a much clearer presentation on how their payments are allocated between principal and interest.

By offering a comprehensive breakdown of the payment schedule, borrowers will have a clearer view of their loan obligations.

And to further improve the terms, the pension fund also revised its penalty interest computation for defaulted loans.

“If these outstanding amounts are offset against retirement or separation benefits, teachers could potentially receive diminished proceeds,” Veloso pointed out.

He reiterated the need for timely and accurate loan repayments as he stressed that unpaid loans accrue interest and penalties.

Good job GSIS!

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