Caring institution

This refers to the recent Government Service and Insurance System (GSIS) dialogue with its stakeholders in Cabanatuan City. This dialogue which GSIS holds in various regions of the country has made GSIS the government’s most responsive and most service-oriented agency.

Based on its rosy operation report to its stakeholders, the 78-year-old pension fund has come a long way since Daniel Lacson Jr. and Robert Vergara, fellow Cabanatueños, took over its management as chairman and president and general manager (PGM), respectively in 2010.

It may be recalled that GSIS then was experiencing problems in its operation that it could not efficiently serve the requirements of its members and pensioners. So, it was rated by the Civil Service Commission as “one of the three worst government agencies” in terms of serving its constituents. Worse, the agency was suffering from financial hemorrhage due to faulty investments.

Not anymore. Through policy changes and adjustment measures implemented by the Lacson/Vergara-led administration, GSIS is now capable of serving and addressing the needs and concerns of its members and pensioners efficiently and effectively.

Last year, the agency posted a record comprehensive income of P140 billion, enabling it to increase the benefits for its 1.83 million constituencies particularly for small-income members and old-age pensioners. The additional benefits earned for it the government’s “caring institution” moniker. 

Today, GSIS has a new chairman in the person of Renato De Guzman, an accomplished banker who is a fellow Cabanatueño of PGM Vergara. With the two top caliber Cabanatueños managing the once discredited agency, expect GSIS to be more efficient and more productive. — PRUDENCIO E. MAGPAYO, Cabanatuan City