Zubiri: To Improve Poor GSIS Services

By Ambrosio R. Villorente

Zubiri (7th from left) with the members of the Aklan Tri-Media posing for souvenir picture after a press conference on April 9, 2007. (ARV Photo)

Migz Zubiri with Madyaas Pen Editor/Publisher Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente

Migz with Ms. Melrose "Megs" Lunn - Madyaas Pen, Assistant Editor

Juan Miguel "migz" F. Zubiri pledged to work for the improvement in the way the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) renders poor services to the state employees and GSIS pensioners.
In a press conference he presided, he presided, Congressman Zubiri accepted the GSIS has been badly treating the government workers in terms of granting and servicing loans, payment of retirement benefits and others. Zubiri specifically lamented the use of the "No e-Card, No Pension" policy of the GSIS which is giving more pain rather than comfort to GSIS pensioners.
Told that most of the GSIS pensioners have not been paid their monthly pensions since January 2007, Zubiri promised to work for its immediate payment. Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente brought the GSIS pensioners problem with Congressman Zubiri who is now a candidate for the Senate in the May 14 2007 election. Once elected to the Senate, Zubiri vowed to institute remedial legislation in the GSIS which is not performing according to the expectations of state employees and government pensioners.
At present, records in the GSIS do not reflect accurate records of some loans of state employees and repayment of loan amortization. Some are still compelled to pay their loans when they have fully paid it. Some employees’ records with the GSIS show they were granted loans when in fact they were not.
The GSIS pensioners in Aklan decry the use of e-Card as their reflexes have deteriorated making it hard for them to go to the bank to withdraw their money. Moreover, GSIS pension fund is deposited in the Union bank which in Panay, has only one branch located in Iloilo City. To withdraw pension money from ATM of some banks, the pensioners are compelled to pay charges.
The press conference was held in the Guest House, Office of the Provincial Governor, Kalibo, Aklan on April 9.
Zubiri is a three term Congressman which enabled him to enact laws of national significance like the Optional ROTC Act; Biofuels Act of 2006; Rent Control Act; Wildlife Conservation Act and Solid waste Management Act. Zubiri also co-authored with some other bills approved into law of local and of national significance. /MP