Rotary Club of Manila Welcomes GSIS Chief Wick Veloso: A Vision for Financial Security and Nation-Building

IN the hallowed halls of the Manila Polo Club, where history and tradition intertwine with modern aspirations, the Rotary Club of Manila convened its 24th Weekly Membership Meeting last Thursday, 6 March 2025. As the country’s first and most prestigious Rotary Club, RCM remains steadfast in its mission to bring together visionary leaders, business magnates, and civic-minded individuals to uphold the values of service, fellowship, and nation-building.

A Gathering of Esteemed Rotarians

The meeting commenced with the authoritative call to order by President Eduardo “Jujut” Enriquez III, setting the tone for an afternoon dedicated to camaraderie and meaningful discourse. Star Rotarian Dean Y. Cid led the invocation, calling upon divine guidance to illuminate the paths of the assembled Rotarians. The stirring strains of the Philippine National Anthem, rendered through a captivating audiovisual presentation, were followed by the club’s proud tradition—the Manila Rotary Hymn, performed by the world-famous RCM Music Chorale.

Rotarian Francisco “Paco” D. Magsaysay then led the gathering in reciting The Four-Way Test, a solemn affirmation of ethical principles that every Rotarian upholds in personal and professional life.

As the meeting warmed with the presence of distinguished guests, the RCM Music Chorale once again took center stage, welcoming them with their signature melodies. The club also honored its birthday celebrants—PVP Fausto Preysler (March 2), STAR Rotarian Jonas Gonzales (March 4), and Rotarian Tong Payumo (March 7)—with the rousing strains of Maligayang Bati and Happy Birthday, a tradition that underscores the club’s familial bond.

Presidential Address: Charting the Course Forward

At precisely 12:50 PM, President Jujut Enriquez took the podium, his steady voice resonating with the collective aspirations of the club. He spoke of recent projects, ongoing initiatives, and the boundless opportunities that lay ahead for RCM. His words served as both a rallying cry and a reminder that service, when undertaken with sincerity and dedication, remains the most noble of pursuits.

The Keynote Address: Mr. Jose Arnulfo "Wick" Veloso

It was then time for the most anticipated segment of the afternoon. Introduced by Rotarian Delfin “Del” N. Lorenzana, the Guest of Honor and Speaker, Mr. Jose Arnulfo "Wick" Veloso, President and General Manager of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), took center stage.

Veloso, a veteran banker and financial luminary, addressed the room with a blend of authority and warmth, his narrative woven with experience, wit, and insight. He opened with an anecdote about his unwavering commitment to service—how he never hesitated when asked to share his thoughts with the Rotary Club of Manila. His lighthearted remark about playing golf with the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr., at Camp Aguinaldo set the tone for a speech that was both engaging and profound.

Veloso traced his journey from the private sector to the corridors of government service, reflecting on his years at Urban Bank, HSBC, and Philippine National Bank (PNB). He recounted how, in 2018, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor personally urged him to take on a leadership role in a local bank—a pivotal moment that led him to the presidency of PNB. His transition into the Marcos administration in July 2022 as the head of GSIS was, by his own admission, an unexpected turn, but one he embraced with the spirit of duty and patriotism.

Transforming GSIS: A Vision for Progress

Veloso then delved into his core mandate at GSIS, entrusted to him by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. upon his appointment. Three key priorities defined his leadership:

1. Ensuring the security of government properties and assets – Veloso candidly admitted that there was no master list of all government assets when he assumed office, an oversight he was determined to rectify.

2. Advancing digitalization – He emphasized the President’s directive for government agencies to integrate their systems to enhance efficiency and ease of doing business.

3. Growing GSIS members’ contributions through strategic investments – As a seasoned banker, Veloso saw this as an opportunity to bring his financial acumen to the service of the country’s public sector workers.

He spoke at length about the GSIS loan programs tailored to help government employees, particularly public school teachers, who make up 51% of GSIS members. Many of them, he noted, were caught in a cycle of debt with high-interest loans from private lending institutions. To address this, GSIS introduced the MPL Flex and MPL Lite programs, lowering interest rates to 6% and extending loan terms to 15 years—a bold move that allowed more than 1 million borrowers to access financial relief within a year.

Additionally, Veloso highlighted the GSIS Emergency Loan Program, which provides immediate financial assistance to government employees in calamity-stricken areas. The institution, he reminded the audience, is not merely a pension fund but a critical financial pillar supporting the nation’s workforce.

GSIS as a Partner in Nation-Building

Beyond pensions and loans, Veloso emphasized GSIS’s role as the primary insurer of government properties and equipment. He revealed a little-known fact: enterprises in export processing zones (PEZA locators) are required to insure their assets exclusively with GSIS. He saw this as an untapped opportunity and embarked on an awareness campaign to educate stakeholders, starting with business hubs in Clark and Subic.

In line with the administration’s Pambansang Pabahay Program, Veloso announced that GSIS was exploring new housing initiatives tailored specifically for government employees, further cementing its role as a vital partner in national development.

A Legacy of Leadership and Service

As Veloso concluded his speech, his message was clear: GSIS is not merely an institution; it is a lifeline for millions of Filipinos. He called on the members of the Rotary Club of Manila, as business leaders and influencers, to support initiatives that uplift government workers and strengthen the nation’s financial resilience.

His words struck a chord with the audience. In the room were captains of industry, thought leaders, and philanthropists, each carrying the weight of their own legacies. Yet, in that moment, they were reminded that true leadership is not about power or prestige, but about service and responsibility.

The Rotary Spirit Lives On

As the meeting drew to a close, the room buzzed with inspired conversations. The Rotary Club of Manila, now in its 106th year, continues to stand as a beacon of hope, a testament to the enduring power of collective action. The afternoon had been more than just a routine assembly; it was a reaffirmation of the club’s commitment to service above self.

And so, as the last notes of the RCM Hymn echoed through the Manila Polo Club, the Rotarians left with renewed purpose, knowing that through their hands, and through gatherings like this, they would continue to shape a better future for the nation they love.