Bantayan town chosen as pilot area for GSIS voice-activated system

The municipality of Bantayan was chosen as pilot area for the Government Services Insurance System Voice-Activated Processing System or GVAPS.

GVAPS is a new project that will allow GSIS customers to apply for loan, inquire about their pension or renew their active status by phone.

The project was formally launched in Bantayan recently and Mayor Geralyn Escario-Cañares said that they were privileged to have it piloted in their town.

The new technology, according to GSIS president and general manager Winston Garcia, has been tested and launched in some parts of the United States and Canada.

Garcia said they chose Bantayan to be the pilot venue for the local launch to prove that the new service works and to prove that if it works in Bantayan, it will work anywhere.

This new system, Garcia said, removes the need for its customers to appear before GSIS offices to renew their pension status as they can now remotely do this via landline or a cell phone.

With the GVAPS, GSIS members and pensioners will only need to use their voice prints to identify themselves and verify their transactions with GSIS.

Garcia also assured that the voice biometric technology provides a secure transaction for the member or pensioner, as it can detect taped or recorded voices.

To avail of the GVAPS, members and pensioners must first have their E-Card Plus, which serves as their official identification card.

They could then go to any GVAPS enrollment center for application where they will be assisted by a GSIS representative to record their voice so that they will be properly identified for future transactions.

However as of now, the GVAPS can be used to apply and process loans.  It can also be used by pensioners to renew their status as active members.

Cebu fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon said that this new technology is what the people are all hoping for, that is to have immediate access to loan facilities.  — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP