EDITORIAL - July 8 - 14 Issue

The Painful GSIS e-Card

By Ambrosio R. Villorente

On September 13, 2004, Mr. Winston F. Garcia informed GSIS pensioners that, "your GSIS has engaged the services of …Union Bank to deliver benefits to rightful beneficiaries. It claimed a list of Union Bank branches is attached with the letter."
I looked for the list, but saw nothing. Is that a deception? Nevertheless, searching a Union Bank branch, I found one in Iznart St., Iloilo City. Just imagine a small Union Bank branch to deliver benefits to rightful beneficiaries living in the islands of Panay and Guimaras. It will also serve government employees transacting business like loans with the GSIS.
I wrote back Mr. Winston Garcia informing him his letter did not contain any list of Union Bank branches and Union Bank does not exist in Aklan in my letter of October 7, 2004.
On November 2, 2004, Artemio M. Molina, Jr., GSIS, wrote back informing me that the previous letter was just "relative to our change of depository bank from LBP to Union Bank". The letter assured me I will be "paid my monthly pension at the usual mode."
On February 28, 2005, Mr. Winston Garcia sent a letter informing me "we shall be paying your pension thru PNB checks starting…April 2005." It also advised me to open an account "with any bank of your choice; or with PNB or Union Bank." It also invited me to acquire a GSIS e-Card which will credit my pension and can be withdrawn from any Union Bank ATM or from any Megalinks, Bancnet and Expressnet ATMs.
The paying of monthly pension by checks continued. The checks were delivered to Kalibo by GSIS personnel from Roxas City which were released personally to the rightful owners. Until one day, it was verbally announced by the GSIS personnel the "No e-Card No Pension Policy. "It alarmed the pensioners.
On February 25, 2006, the Government Retirees Organization of Libacao (GROL) approved a "Resolution Appealing to the GSIS Not to Implement the No e-Card No Pension Policy and Continue Paying the Pensioners By Checks Sent Through the Philpost."
Copies of the resolution were furnished the GSIS in all levels: top, local and national officials. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan approved its own resolution strongly recommending approval of the GROL’s appeal. There were several government units which approved their separate resolutions supporting favorable consideration to the appeal of the GROL.
VP Efigenio D. Aquino, Jr. of the GSIS wrote Mr. Odon Bandiola his reaction to Aklan SP Resolution No. 06 – 155. Aquino wrote "it saddens as to learn that you have not yet fully appreciated the con-venience and the value of the use of GSIS e-Card." Mr. Aquino, thought GSIS e-Card is convenient to him but painful to the pensioners. He cannot emphatize.
Aquino further said, "fraud and theft…has been a nagging problem" Mr. Aquino, did not realize GSIS pensioners are neither capable to commit fraud nor steal GSIS fund. By the way, funds in the GSIS came from the members. Why will they steal? The death of Mr. Edie Swede in Iloilo City came shortly after he exposed a series of anomalies which took place in the GSIS.
According to Aquino, the GSIS will save P200 million a year as it eliminates the use of checks. Mr. Aquino forgot that the monthly pension is a legal obligation of the GSIS to the pensioners. Why transfer the expenses of the GSIS to the pensioners in the payment of their money GSIS have collected out of pensioners’ monthly salaries? Why use a bank which does not exist in most of the provinces? Union Bank is not capable to deliver benefits to the rightful beneficiaries. GSIS clients are now paying at very high cost both physically, financially and mentally banking with Union Bank.
The continued use of GSIS e-Card inflicts pain to the pensioners, incurs unnecessary, excessive expenses and humiliating to the senior citizens.
At 9:30 AM to 12 noon on Monday, July 9, 2007, the GSIS pensioners spearheaded by the officers and members of the GROL, held a rally in front of the provincial capitol building, Kalibo, Aklan. They demanded for the following:
1. GSIS pensioners be paid in checks sent through the Philippines postal service;
2. Transfer GSIS fund from Union bank to DBP or LBP;
3. Relocate GSIS satellite office from the 3rd floor of the Provincial Capitol Bldg. to the ground floor; and
4. Approval of the resignation of Winston F. Garcia as GSIS Chairman/General Manager.
Atty. Jesusa Ruby A. Teruel, Area Manager, GSIS and Mr. Ronie Abella came to listen to the pensioners’ demands. Before the rally ended, Atty. Teruel assured that the GSIS satellite office will be transferred to a ground floor as soon as a suitable place is available. She also assured that our three other demands with its respective rationale will be sent to higher management for consideration.
Most of the GSIS pensioners are living on, bonus time. May the GSIS management gives them their little request. /MP