MANILA, Philippines - My mother used to be a public school teacher in Bicol. She retired from government service on March 23, 1993. She opted for the pension, instead of the lump sum. In 1998, she started receiving her monthly pension through the Philippine National Bank (Polangui, Albay). She opened a savings account there. The setup went on smoothly until last year (2006) - when she was required to appear at the GSIS office in Legazpi City, obviously to prove to the GSIS that she is still alive.
Legazpi City is approximately a two-hour ride from Libon. She is now 78 years old and diabetic. She's having difficulty boarding and getting off jeeps and buses. Someone has to push her up the jeep or bus stairs. After the long trip to Legazpi, it is difficult for her to get up from her seat. She could trip down the sidewalk or corridor if there are too many people rushing about. She feels dizzy whenever her blood sugar count rises up or goes down.
Last February, she was again made to get an e-Card, or she won't receive her much-delayed monthly pension for January 2007, so she was told. We had to rent a jeep from Linao, Libon, to Legazpi for P700 because she direly needed the pension for her maintenance medicines, although the amount is not even enough for a month's supply of medicines. Can't the GSIS people imagine the trouble we had to go through? After a long wait at the long line of old retirees, she was made to come back on Feb. 16 because she was No. 1456. So when will she get her e-Card and pension? In March, April or never? When patay na ang kabayo? My mother was dedicated to her profession and lived an honest life.
I understand that the GSIS is mandated and meant to serve its members. But an ATM machine is not even available in Polangui. It's only available in Ligao and Legazpi. Can't the GSIS see the discomfort it is "demanding" of the elderly like my mother? Can't the GSIS be more flexible in the implementation of the e-Card requirements? What the GSIS members are asking for is their money. Why is the GSIS making it difficult for them to get what is due them? Or is there some deliberate effort to delay the pensions so that they can be used in the meantime for administration candidates in the coming elections?
Why can't GSIS president Winston Garcia deliver immediate results for the benefit of pension-deprived, living pensioners and GSIS beneficiaries?
MA. NORA R. REGAYA,
2065 Nuestra Sra. de Guadalupe,
Guadalupe, Makati City
