GSIS assures faster loan processing thru improved database of state pension fund

By Alma L. Tingcang

PAGADIAN CITY, January 25 - - - The Government Service Insurance System    (GSIS) said today that it has processed a maximum of 50,000 emergency loans on a daily basis for members affected by typhoon “Pablo” due to a more reliable database and online capabilities of the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GW@PS) kiosks.

Compared to 2009 at the height of super typhoon “Ondoy”, the number of emergency loan applications processed daily peaked at more than 17,000 only.

This is mainly because of the continuous updating of the pension fund’s database to reflect the current premium and loan remittances of its members so that more can avail of their benefits and loan privileges such as the emergency loan.

A total of nearly P7 billion in emergency loan which benefited more than 390,000 members has been granted by the pension fund in 2012.

Most GSIS members choose to file their loan applications via the GW@PS kiosks leading to faster processing. An online and paperless facility, the GW@PS kiosks credit the loans to members’ accounts through their UMID eCard within three to five days.

Engr. Leoncito S. Manuel, GSIS branch head here said there are more than 700 GW@PS kiosks nationwide located in GSIS branch offices, as well as in provincial capitols, city/municipal halls and selected Robinsons malls across the country.

“We have a total of 9 GW@PS kiosks located at DepEd, Zamboanga del Sur Division, LGUs of Buug and Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, Pagadian City Hall and Provincial Capitol, and we have three kiosks here at the branch,” Manuel quoted.

He said there is a proposal to open GW@PS kiosks in Olutanga and Molave but he still has to check if lines in these areas are  good enough to warrant its opening.

Meanwhile, the GSIS office here have undergone a facelift and expanded its waiting area giving way to a pensioners’ lounge and a more spacious lobby.  (FPG/ALT-PIA9/Zambo Sur)