GSIS, San Miguel back livelihoods

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has partnered with San Miguel Foods (SMF) to create livelihood and entrepreneurship opportunities for government workers and their families as a way to help them cope with the rising cost of basic goods and services.

GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo ‘Wick’ Veloso said the collaboration is designed to equip members, beneficiaries, and their dependents with training, business readiness support, and livelihood packages that could help them establish small or medium enterprises.

Veloso said participants will receive guidance on essential aspects of running a business, including product handling, basic business operations, customer service, and store setup to help ensure sustainable sources of income.

“The initiative supports the institution’s goal of strengthening the financial resilience of government workers,” he said.

“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 added.

For its part, SMF said the partnership seeks to make entrepreneurship more accessible to Filipino families.

SMF President Emmanuel Macalalag emphasized that the program goes beyond simply offering products or business packages.

“This partnership is not simply about offering products or business packages. It is about making entrepreneurship accessible—practical, realistic, and within reach,” Macalalag said.

Under the initiative, GSIS members may begin reselling SMF products with an initial capital of as little as ₱2,000, or pursue larger livelihood ventures such as food carts, food stands, and baking programs.

Veloso also highlighted the agency’s GSIS Touch mobile application, through which members can access the Ginhawa Go micro-lending facility and other Ginhawa loan programs that may help finance their business ventures. TRACY CABRERA