By Alma L. Tingcang
PAGADIAN CITY - “The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) ranks no. 1
among government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) in terms of assets
and revenues. Assets of GSIS is equivalent to the combined assets and revenues
of PhilHealth, Pag-ibig Fund and Social Security System (SSS),” said GSIS Vice
President for Mindanao, Atty. Lourdes C. Dorado, in a meeting with
representatives of public sector unions held December 5 at Chandler Suites
here.
Dorado assured
that GSIS is financially sound. “The premiums we collect, we use to pay our
members and pensioners when any of these contingencies happen; separation,
disability, retirement, survivorship and death. We should pay our loans because
we will be depriving others of their benefits if we fail to pay our obligations,”
the lady VP said.
“When we reach
the age where we could not anymore work and we need money to provide and
sustain our needs, the question is, does GSIS still have the money to pay?” she
asked the participants.
Dorado reported
that in 2010, revenues reached P96.7 billion; 2011 - 123.42 billion; 2012 –
137.35 billion; 2013 – 138.93billion; and Jan-Sept. 2014 – 119.52 billion,
considering that it is still September and books have not been finished yet. Notably,
2013 posted a fairly low income because many of those in government service
availed of the rationalization plan.
GSIS assets including real properties, buildings,
lots, investments in stocks and bonds amounted to billions. In 2009 - P506.19
billion; 2010 - 566.71 billion; 2011 – 633.64 billion; 2012 - 731.93 bilion;
2013- 786.47 billion; Jan-Sept. 2014 – 883.93 billion. “The challenge of our
present leadership is to attain the trillion mark and all signs show that the
target is attainable,” assured VP Dorado.
Dorado said she wants all members and
pensioners to know what is the GSIS Citizen’s Charter. “Here you have your
benefits, the processing time, documents and other requirements and those who
are eligible to avail of the benefits.
“Frontline workers should never ask you
to come back several times. Clients should know their rights, assert them and
fight for their rights. This is also a way to help us improve our services by
providing a feedback mechanism,” Atty. Dorado appealed.
The GSIS leadership continues to conduct dialogues across the country in
keeping with its commitment to be consultative, transparent, and
member-focused.
