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NORDIS
WEEKLY May 22, 2005 |
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Gov’t employees vow to protect GSIS funds |
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BAGUIO CITY (May 18) — Representatives of 16 government institutions here affirmed their support to protect government employees’ funds in the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in a forum this week at the University of the Philippines’ Bulwagang Juan Luna. The GSIS is gearing for its 68th year servicing government workers on May 31. Four employees of the GSIS Central Office in Manila served as resource persons in the forum, where a comparative computation of benefits before and during GSIS President and General Manager Winston Garcia’s term was presented and explained to the member-employees. They alleged that Garcia employed “accounting tricks” to show that the GSIS is earning. They also explained the ongoing oppression of its workers and employees. The speakers, including Kapisanan ng mga Manggagawa sa GSIS (KMG) President Atty. Albert Velasco, have administrative or libel cases filed against them. More than 300 GSIS rank-and-file employees were also charged with administrative cases by Garcia for their collective move to oust him last year. “Nag-iikot kami sa media para ipaliwanag ang mga isyu ng GSIS. Pero wala pa ring kasiguruhan dito kaya dumederetso na kami sa mga kapwa namin empleyado”, (We have had appointments with the media to air these issues at the GSIS, yet we prioritize to meet with our fellow government employees to ensure that the issues reach them), Velasco said. Benefits no more Employees expressed anger and disbelief when Vivian Garcia, a processor at the GSIS in Pasig presented a comparative computation of benefits government employees are supposed to receive as mandated by Republic Act 8291, the GSIS Law of 1997 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, including retirement and survivorship claims. All claims are now subject to “auto clip”, a new system which deducts all loans from either life, retirement, or survivorship claims in case of a three-month arrear in payment of loans. Vivian explained that earlier, only balances were deducted from each corresponding loan. Under the retirement claim, she explained that a new Table of Claim Benefits with Prescription Period Application was passed under Garcia’s term. Here, a member who is 60 years old or above with less than 15 years in the service must file his claim within four years from the date of retirement. Failure to comply in the said period will automatically forfeit benefits in favor to the GSIS. The number of actual services rendered, be it temporary, casual, or contractual in nature were originally included in the computation of an employee’s length of service. Under Garcia’s Premium-Based Policy, however, the length of service for contractual employees will not be credited, reducing the Basic Monthly Pension (BMP) and consequently, corresponding pensions. Survivorship claims too seem to have lost their purpose when Garcia proceeded to slash benefits and pensions through Board Resolutions regardless of the guidelines prescribed in RA 8291. Originally, members who died while in the service for at least 3 to 15 years would receive cash payment based on their length of service and average monthly compensation (AMC) for the last three years, including survivorship pension which is equivalent to 50% of their BMP. Currently, however, only the cash payment has been retained. Members who died while in the service for less than three years will not be receiving anything anymore, when they were entitled to a survivorship claim, originally. Those who died out of service but worked for at least 15 years will now be receiving a pension, but no cash payment. A member who dies single, even if he or she has worked 3 to 14 years in the government, will not be receiving anything. “Kaya yung mga single dapat magsipag-asawa na,” (That is why those who are single better get married) joked Vivian during the forum. Based on the comparative computations presented, the rate of pension increases for retirement and survivorship pensioners was reduced to only 5% in 2003, with no increases for 2004 to 2005. Prior to Garcia’s term, pension increases ranged from 10% to 12%. In place of the Life Endowment Policy (LEP), Garcia also drafted an Enhanced Life Policy (ELP), which slashed the maturity and disability claims, and the accidental death and burial benefits. Under his leadership, guidelines for housing loans were also revised such that if a buyer fails to pay for three consecutive months, the GSIS will cancel the right of the buyer to buy the property, take the property and still compels the buyer to pay the balance of the housing loan. If the buyer fails to pay, the balance is deducted from his or her retirement proceeds. The changes in computation were explained in detail, using figures from an employee’s actual records. Board Resolutions supporting the said amendments were also presented. Tricks, oppression Meanwhile, Eric Cruz, GSIS accountant in the Manila District Office explained that Garcia’s claim that the GSIS is earning is not true. He cited that Garcia uses the accrual methods in reporting such that even projected revenues are reported as income, making the figures seem bloated. “And if he claims that the P48 million Juan Luna painting is an investment, then it is not a sound one until it has been sold. Being a national treasure, the value increases in time. But until it has not been sold, it is nothing,” he said. Velasco added that since their protest actions last year, cameras were placed in elevators, and hallways. A documentary by GMA 7’s Imbestigador showed an employee who was being tailed at by a plainclothesman, even when he went to relieve himself. “In the GSIS main office, all cars entering the premises are thoroughly inspected, in the hope of finding me”, Velasco said in jest. The GSIS will be celebrating its 68th anniversary on May 31, however, with these issues at hand, Velasco says that there is no cause for celebration. “Let us use this day to air our grievances. We hope that provincial offices will support our move in Manila to make this a coordinated day of action”, he said. The forum was organized by the Confederation for Unity, Recognition, and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE)-Cordillera, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT)-Metro Baguio, All UP Workers Union, Alliance of Health Workers (AHW)-Cordillera, and the Organization of Non-Academic Personnel of UP (ONAPUP). # ATB for NORDIS |
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