Gubat St. Anthony Cooperative (GSAC) is a leading multi-purpose cooperative in the Philippines. Established on April 8, 1964, GSAC started as a small credit union formed by a group of parishioners in Gubat, Sorsogon under the guidance of Bro. Augusto C. Mier and Fr. Magencio. They started with a meager P222-peso fund which they grew until the union turned into the largest cooperative in the Bicol Region, with more than 60,000 members and over Php 5.1 billion in assets, despite setbacks from natural disasters like typhoons in the 60s and 80s.
Today, GSAC operates 11 branches, 3 satellite offices, and 2 digital hubs across Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, and Northern Samar. It offers a wide range of services—including banking, loans, insurance, health care, agricultural services, and retail—to help uplift the lives of its members. It continues to expand its impact through projects like the GSAC General Hospital and the Triple 2 Agri-Industrial Corp., providing services in health care, farming, and agribusiness.
Benefits
Joining GSAC as member means getting to enjoy the following benefits:
- Access to low-interest loans and competitive savings rates
- Eligibility to receive dividends and patronage refunds
- Participation in Loyalty Awards and Pension Programs
- Access to the Damayan II death aid benefit for financial support in times of loss
- Discounts and reward points on GSAC’s allied services (e.g., Mart, Pharmacy, Hotel)
- Opportunity to participate in cooperative decision-making through voting rights
- Inclusion in community outreach programs and business development support
- Option to build long-term savings and capital contribution through the Capital Build-Up (CBU) scheme
- Priority access to seminars, trainings, and financial literacy activities
- Sense of community and ownership as a co-op member-owner, not just a client
Products and Services
GSAC offers a wide selection of products and services tailored for various needs. These products include:
1. Loan Products
There are various types of loan programs available, regadless if you’re looking to fund your personal aspirations, or start or expand your business:
- Regular Loan: This loan product serves both productive and providential needs and is usually used for various purposes.
- Express Loan: This loan type is available for an amount that is equal to or less than a member’s share capital. It’s designed to be quickly approved and disbursed on the same day it’s applied for.
- Petty Cash Loan: This loan is specifically designed to address the immediate needs of our member borrowers. It’s accessible once the first installment of their ongoing regular loan has been successfully repaid. The amount shall depend on the classification:
- Diamond – maximum of PHP 6,000.00
- Gold – maximum of PHP 5,000.00
- Silver – maximum of PHP 4,000.00
- Bronze – maximum of PHP 3,000.00
- ATM Salary Loan: This loan product is offered to permanent/regularized government and private employees receiving their salaries through their ATM. Once the loan is approved, the member’s ATM will be surrendered and will be automatically returned to the member once the loan account is settled.
- Automatic Payroll Deduction System (APDS): This is a salary loan product specifically designed for DepEd Teaching and Non-Teaching Personnel who are more than 1 year in service and have a permanent job status.
- Outreach Loan: This loan product is intended for the barangay officials receiving a regular monthly honorarium.
- Car Loan: This loan product is meant to finance the purchase of brand new and second-hand vehicles for qualified members.
- Appliance Loan: This loan product is designed to finance the purchase of appliances, gadgets, and construction materials based on the credit limit and capacity to pay of member.
- Pension Loan: This loan product is intended for those who are already receiving monthly pension thru ATM.
- Commercial Loan: This loan requires a titled property to be offered as collateral in exchange for a substantial loan amount. It’s available to all members who have fulfilled the necessary share capital requirement.
- Commodity Loan: This loan is tailored for acquiring rice, groceries, and animal feeds by our members. The loan amount is contingent on the member’s classification and is expected to be repaid within 30 working days of the cooperative.
- Back-to-back Loan: This loan product is available to GSAC Savings and Time Deposit account holders wherein the loan shall be secured by the time deposit and savings account of the member. During the term of the loan, the time deposit and savings account shall be on hold until the loan is fully paid.
- Housing Loan: This loan is intended for the purchase of a house, lot, condo unit, and renovation or improvement of a house.
- OFW Loan (Show Money Loan): The loan amount is determined by the financial needs outlined by the foreign embassy.
- ASA Loan: This loan is designed to provide financial support for a member’s business venture.
- SME Loan: This loan is offered to individuals who already have existing businesses.
- Agricultural Loan: This product offers loans up to PHP 40,000.00 per hectare, with a maximum coverage of four (4) hectares. It was meant to help with farming expenses such as:
- to partially pay for farming costs of production:
- farm inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides among others will be given in kind
- cash component will finance to cover transplanting costs.
- This loan is also available for hog and cattle raising, as well as fishpond management and high-value crop farming.
- Cacao Loan: This loan is designed to support cacao production and is given in the form of cacao seedlings and necessary farming supplies.
- Medical Loan: This loan is meant to provide a 0% interest reimbursement for the medical expenses incurred by the member and the member’s dependents
2. Savings
GSAC also encourage its members to secure their financial future through the wide range of savings products that they offer:
- GSAC Special Savings Programs (Education Savings & Retirement Savings)
- GSAC Laboratory Cooperative: This is a cooperative for those who are a GSAC Aflatoun member. Lab Coop conducts social and financial literacy trainings, workshops, seminars, and activities.
3. Time Deposit
Time Deposits are another important source of funds for operations. People with excess funds that will not be used over a considerable period of time want to minimize the erosion of the value of their savings brought about by inflation.
- Damayan II: Damayan is an institutionalized “abuluyan” system in the organization to serve the members from “womb to tomb”
- Education: Savings account purposely for education.
- Aflatoun: A social and financial education for children ages 3-17 years old.
4. Insurance
GSAC partners with CLIMBS Life & General Insurance Cooperative to secure the future of their members and their loved ones through the following products:
- Personal Insurance
- Individual Insurance
- Family Insurance
- Vehicle Insurance
- Fire Insurance
- Surety Bonds
Allied Services
Other services offered by GSAC include:
- Dividends and Patronage Refunds
- Loyalty Awards
- Pension Programs
- Damayan II (death aid benefit)
- Discounts and reward points on products/services
- Production and marketing assistance.
GSAC Membership: Who Can Join?
Anyone who meets the following qualifications can apply:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must have a visible means of income
By becoming a regular member, you get access to financial and allied services and become eligible for:
- Dividends and patronage refunds
- Premium rates on deposits
- Low-interest loans
- Discounts and loyalty rewards
- Production and marketing assistance
- Damayan II death aid benefit
- Pension and retirement savings options
How to Become a Member of GSAC
To apply, simply follow the step-by-step membership process listed below:
Step 1. Get the Application Form
- Visit the Information Section of any GSAC branch
- Or apply online here: https://gsac.coop/onlinemembership
Step 2. Attend the PMES (Pre-Membership Education Seminar)
- Face-to-Face: Inquire at your branch for schedules
- Online Seminar: Held via Google Meet every Wednesday and Saturday
- Request the link by emailing: mdo@gsac.coop
- Printed Module: Available for Php 50.00 for those who can’t attend PMES
Step 3. Prepare and Submit Requirements
- Two (2) 1×1 ID pictures
- Photocopy of any valid ID (e.g., Voter’s ID, UMID, Pag-IBIG, TIN, Brgy. ID)
- PMES Certificate or module proof
Step 4. Wait for Board Approval
- Applications are endorsed by the branch manager or loan supervisor
- Final approval by GSAC’s Board of Directors
- Applicants will receive an SMS notification upon approval
- Validity of approved application is 6 months
Step 5. Pay Required Fees
- Partial Payment: Php 2,200
- Full Payment: Php 5,200
Note: Within 2 years, members are expected to complete the Php 4,000 capital build-up requirement.
Video: How to Register Membership Online (GSAC)
Joining Gubat St. Anthony Cooperative (GSAC) means gaining access to reliable financial tools, community-driven support systems, and growth opportunities—whether you’re a farmer, a salaried worker, a small business owner, or simply looking for a trusted place to save. For a visual walkthrough on how to apply for membership online, watch this video below:
For inquiries or other concerns, you may reach out to GSAC via the following:
GSAC Main Branch
- Address: Corner Luna and Quezon St. Gubat, Sorsogon
- Contact Person: Stella F. Hubilla
- Email address: gubat@gsac.coop
- Contact Number: 0916 4586 648