Villar wants members’ rep in GSIS board

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Manny Villar Jr. has filed a bill that aims to institutionalize the rights of members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) by providing them representation in the GSIS Board.

Villar wants that all members will be ensured of the prompt payment of all their benefits following numerous complaints in the delay of such payments in past years.

“In order to address the issues and complaints, there is a need to further amend the law specifically on the rights of the members, including the elderly and persons with disabilities, the responsibilities of the employers, settlement of disputes, and the limitation on the investment of the funds,” Villar said in the explanatory note of SB 3364.

According to Villar, the bill aims to boost the confidence of public servants, and ensure that their rights are well protected, and that they “enjoy the benefits of their labor after years of selfless service to the country.”

Under the measure, members will be provided with greater representation for members at the highest policy making level of the GSIS.  It also aims to insulate the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) from dissipation due to the volatility of the global economy; ensure that top-level officials of the GSIS are held accountable for mismanagement and inefficiencies in the delivery of services to members and beneficiaries; and to provide GSIS members and beneficiaries alternative venues in the settlement of disputes.

Special rights are also specified for elderly, persons with disabilities and seriously ill members, beneficiaries and pensioners. They should be provided special access lanes; be prioritized in the process and release of claims and benefits; be given preference in the dissemination of information pertaining to policies and be accorded leniency in the submission of documents provided that there is substantial compliance with the requirements prescribed by GSIS.

In filing the bill, Villar noted that GSIS has been plagued with complaints such as misuse of funds, non-payment or delay of release of benefits and pensions.

Villar also noted that the GSIS charter (Commonwealth Act 186) was last amended in 1997 which focus on the provisions on membership, sources of funds, benefits, adjudication of claims and disputes, administration and penal provisions.