As part of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) thrust to promote service responsiveness and transparency, the new GSIS Board of Trustees instituted consultative meetings with stakeholders to provide update on reforms listen to the concerns of the members, and foster closer ties with partners.
In the Province of Bukidnon, the consultative meeting with the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, President and General Manager (PGM) Robert G. Vergara was realized on January 26 during the GSIS Stakeholders’ Dialogue at The Garden’s Party Venue, Barangay 1, Malaybalay City participated by the heads of the government agencies (both in the national and local level) and Agency Authorized Officers (AAO). AAO Jutchel L. Nayra presented this office.
PGM Vergara reported the impact of the GSIS reforms and its aim at providing responsive service to the members and pensioners. Impact of reforms includes strong financial standing for the past four years (from 2010 to July 2014), updated members’ records improved posting and collection efficiency, settlement of past due accounts of suspended agencies and LGUs due to non-payment of premiums and loans, and improvement in ARTA rating for service delivery.
The PGM also highlighted the GSIS reforms to provide responsive service such as (a) policies made member- and pensioner friendly, (b) improved access to service, (c) eased transaction process by enhancing systems, (d) improved recording and posting of members’ accounts, (e) enhanced loan programs, and (f) transparency in and good governance in business transactions.
PGM Vergara presented the revised policies made as member- and pensioner friendly. For active members, these include: GSIS transformed Claims and Loans Interdependency Policy (CLIP) to Choice of Loans Amortization Schedule for Pensioners (CLASP); and activated members’ loan privileges. For pensioners, the transformed policies include: no more Annual Renewal of Active Status (ARAS); restored survivorship pension; increased minimum basic pension to Php5,000; revived payment of proportionate pension; granted a Php20,000 pension emergency loan; and, insured pension loan.
In addition, he reported the improved access to service such as: renewed partnership with Land Bank; deployed more GSIS wireless automated processing system (GWAPS) kiosks; reconfigured GSIS structure; and, established 24/7 call center. Meanwhile, PGM Vergara reported the eased transaction process by enhancing systems of the GSIS like: streamlined documentary requirements; electronically credited GSIS benefits; and, implemented electronic billing and online payments.
The PGM further enumerated the enhanced recording and posting of members’ accounts. GSIS updated members’ accounts and carried out the following measures to address this issue such as the reconciliation of agency accounts, the creation of a reconciliation task force, and project Statement of Loan Accounts (SOLA).
Other reforms on the enhanced loan programs cited are the following: liberalized emergency loan program; granted special loan assistance package for Yolanda and other calamity-hit members and pensioners (e.g. loan moratorium program, home emergency loan program, enhanced emergency loan program, and pension emergency loan program); implemented a housing loan remedial and restructuring program; partnership with Pag-IBIG
Moreover, he mentioned about the GSIS transparency and good governance in business transactions. According to him, GSIS instituted open and competitive procurement processes for reinsurance needs of big-ticket accounts (P50 million and above) and built partnerships with for greater efficiency.
GSIS recognizes the role of the agency heads and the AAOs in advocating the GSIS reforms to the members and pensioners. Otherwise, this will defeat the GSIS thrust of service responsiveness and transparency.
In the Division of Malaybalay City, AAO Nayra will include the GSIS institutionalized reforms in the orientation/re-orientation under the AYOS Project specified in the Division Strategic Plan for CY 2015. The need for the non-teaching employees to be updated with the GSIS reforms is of prime importance considering that it deals on the employees’ welfare and benefits.
Inspite of the efforts of the GSIS, transformation would be resisted and ineffective if not supported by its members and pensioners. Hence, positive efforts should be exerted by the government agencies in advocating the GSIS transformations to implement its thrust for a more responsive service.