Marilyn Cahatol

The Social Security System headquarters is seen in Quezon City on February 6, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — A lawmaker has welcomed the Social Security System’s (SSS) proposed microloan program, stressing that only the state-run social insurance agency and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) should be authorized to give Filipinos pension loans.</p><p>Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Ordanes welcomed the development, saying that the SSS and GSIS are the only &quot;efficient and capable institutions&quot; that &quot;can meet the loan needs of pensioners.&quot; </p><p>He added interest payments on these loans would &quot;[benefit] the public, while ensuring that the pensions of senior citizens remain protected from abusive lenders.”</p><p>He added: “Mali na ang kakarampot na pension ng retired SSS at GSIS members ay mapupunta sa lending companies,” </p><p>(It is wrong that the small amounts of pension of retired SSS and GSIS members go to lending companies.)</p><p>“Tama itong SSS microloans kasi hindi mababaon sa utang dito ang pensioners at retirees,” he added.</p><p>(The SSS microloans is right because it will not bury pensioners and retirees in debt.)</p><p>He said he hopes the Department of Finance and SSS will roll out an effective media campaign about the microloans program.</p><p>The DOF <a href="https://www.dof.gov.ph/sec-go-pushes-for-sss-micro-loan-program-to-shieldmembers-from-high-cost-informal-lending/">announced </a>Friday that it is eyeing the implementation of a new microloan program in the first half of 2026, which aims to expand safe, affordable, and convenient access to short-term credit for SSS members.</p><p>Finance Secretary Frederick Go said the program will help its members stay away from loan sharks and other high-cost, predatory lending schemes.</p><p>The DOF said SSS will partner with participating banks and financial institutions to deliver the program through their digital platforms.</p><p>Its key features will include loan amounts ranging from P1,000 to P20,000, depending on a member’s average monthly salary credit; flexible repayment terms from 15 to 90 days; and an interest rate of 8% per annum or 0.67% per month.</p><p>DOF said the program will be open to eligible SSS members aged 18 to under 65 years old, with at least 12 paid monthly contributions, and have no pending or settled retirement, total disability, or death benefit claims.</p><p>Members with existing SSS loans may still qualify, subject to program limits, it added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/18/marcos-sss-emergency-loan-available-starting-this-december-0911">Marcos: SSS offering emergency loans with low interest rates</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tjejzEGQJMo?si=5zEB-5dTXTctvtk4" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>A lawmaker has welcomed the Social Security System’s (SSS) proposed microloan program, stressing that only the state-run social insurance agency and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) should give Filipinos pension loans.</p>

A lawmaker has welcomed the Social Security System’s (SSS) proposed microloan program, stressing that only the state-run social insurance agency and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) should give Filipinos pension loans.

Senior Citizens rep welcomes proposed SSS microloan program, urges ban on loans from private lenders

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Senior Citizens rep welcomes proposed SSS microloan program, urges ban on loans from private lenders

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 04, 2026 11:16 AM PHT

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Social Security System

Social insurance

microloan program

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