June pension distribution snag isolated case - GSIS

A grilling which left the state-controlled Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) over burning embers of criticisms from both media and age-old pensioners was what the local field office got for a rare hitch in its pension delivery system.

GSIS Vice President for Visayas-Mindanao Operations Edgar Eduardo and Vice President for Public Affairs Ella Vallencerina press that the Bohol incident was isolated and was the only reported case of snag when the GSIS implemented a budget restructuring in May. Old age pensioners last June suddenly trooped to the local GSIS Field Office here in reaction to a rumor spread across the province. Rumor has it that the retirement pensions for the old age pensioner were not to be mailed anymore.

The rumor caused a sudden rush of pensioners made even more complicated with GSIS policy of politely denying the use of Special Power of Attorney (SPA). The onslaught also caught the GSIS unprepared and could only do little to fast track the service of the already jam-packed and impatient crowd. Local media wanting to lend comfort to the situation took on the GSIS case over the print and broadcasts. Earlier, GSIS Tagbilaran manager Atty. Arthur Douglas Marigomen said they had mailing problems due to the budget reprogramming, but assured, that should only affect the June pensions.

While assuring that the snag wont recur, both Eduardo and Vallencerina said they are doing their best to help facilitate their services to Bohol 's 5,636 pensioners. Only about 700 pensioners here are supposed to check in at the local GSIS office to pick up their pension checks. In line with the new services available for its clients, GSIS is piloting its kiosks in two provinces: Batanes and Camiguin. This will also be set in 41 other branches throughout the country, GSIS officials said.

GSIS Kiosks are computers with internet-connectivity placed in key government offices where access to credit facility can be more efficient. Eduardo said all one needs to access a credit from the government is a bio-metric card which the kiosk's computer can scan to read a member's credit transactions. A loan may be had in a matter of 30 minutes to an hour depending on the availability of creditor's record and good credit standing, Eduardo said.

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