Even before the current increase in inflation triggered by the conflict in the Middle East, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has partnered with San Miguel Foods (SMF) to provide government workers and their families with new livelihood and entrepreneurship opportunities to assuage the hardships caused by rising prices of basic commodities and services.
According to GSIS president and general manager Jose Arnulfo ‘Wick’ Veloso, they have forged the partnership with the aim of providing their members, beneficiaries, and their dependents access to training, business readiness support, and livelihood packages that can help them start small or medium enterprises.
GM Veloso explained that under the said initiative, participants will receive valuable guidance on livelihood and business processes such as product handling, basic business operations, customer service, and store setup to help ensure sustainable income opportunities.
“The initiative supports the institution’s goal of strengthening the financial resilience of government workers,” he cited.
“Ang pakikipag-ugnayan natin sa San Miguel Foods ay nagbibigay ng praktikal na pagkakataon para sa ating mga kasamahan sa gobyerno, lalo na sa kanilang mga pamilya, na maging entrepreneurs at makatulong sa pag-angat ng kabuhayan ng kanilang pamilya,” he shifted to the vernacular.
Meanwhile, for its part in the partnership, SMF clarified that the collaboration with GSIS aims to make entrepreneurship more accessible to Filipino families.
“This partnership is not simply about offering products or business packages. It is about making entrepreneurship accessible—practical, realistic, and within reach,” SMF President Emmanuel Macalalag pointed out.
Accordingly, GSIS members may begin reselling products for as little as Php 2,000 or explore larger livelihood options such as food carts, food stands, and baking programs.
In addition, Veloso highlighted their Ginhawa loan programs, including the Ginhawa Go micro-lending facility accessible through the GSIS Touch mobile app, which could support members who wish to invest in these opportunities.