GSIS to open up Bohol-wide pension distribution centers

COMING out apologetic over the recent stir caused by the agency's “budget reprogramming,” that resulted in mail-snag of Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) checks, authorities here promised they would do better next time. And doing better means opening up Pension Distribution Centers (PDC) in key areas across the province to decongest the Tagbilaran field office. “We are very sorry for what happened, though checks are still sent at least a week in advance,” GSIS division chief Mariano Basa said.

Last week, as if in reaction to the failure of the GSIS to send pensioners' checks by mail and misinformation spread to them, pensioners, some visibly uncomfortable in walkers, canes and crutches trooped to the local field office here to personally claim their unmailed checks. The sight drew adverse reactions over Bohol radio air lanes against the government agency.

In a radio interview to explain their side of the issue last week, GSIS Tagbilaran manager Atty. Arthur Douglas Marigomen said they had mailing problems due to the budget reprogramming. But he assured, that should only affect the June pensions. At the Kapihan sa PIA aired Thursday at DyTR, GSIS Mariano Basa said the local GSIS has about 5,636 pensioners, who get their pensions either by personal pick-up, mails or payments through banks. Only about 700 of the pensioners opted to pick their checks up at the local office.

The past week however had the local field office deluged by old age pensioners who personally came when their checks did not come. Of the 5,636 pensioners, some get their checks via the Philippine National Bank and Development Bank of the Philippines . Unclaimed checks usually get mailed. The hitch only came after GSIS could not use their mail funds because of the changes, GSIS said. To put in some reforms, Atty. Mercedes VPE Enriquez said the PDCs would be set up beginning July.

The centers open for a day on specific dates in specific locations, usually town halls, during office hours, Atty Enriquez explains. The schedule however varies from time to time, but generally, pensioners claiming for their pension checks would be served there, she said. Tagbilaran City center serves pensioners from Dauis, Panglao, Baclayon, Alburquerque, Loay, Loboc, Sevilla, Lila, Cortes, Corella, Sikatuna, Balilihan, Antequera, Maribojoc, Loon, San Isidro and Catigbian.

Jagna opens July 11 serving Duero , Garcia Hernandez, Valencia , Dimiao, Guindulman and Anda. On the following day, July 12, Ubay center opens while serving Anda, Mabini, Candijay, Alicia and Carlos P Garcia. Talibon center opens on July 13 for Trinidad, Bien Unido, San Miguel, Buenavista and Getafe, while on July 17, Carmen center serves Dagohoy, Sierra Bullones, Batuan, Bilar, Sagbayan, Danao and Pilar on July 17. On July 19, GSIS goes to Tubigon to hand in checks for Inabanga, Danao, Clarin, Sagbayan, Calape and Buenavista. Checks not claimed during these out of town visits would still be mailed beginning the third week prior to the opening month, she added.

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