GSIS vows better customer service for teachers, DepEd personnel

The Government Service Insurance System on Monday vowed to provide teachers and other personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd) with easier and direct access to its services by fast-tracking the GSIS' response to their financial concerns.

During the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the DepEd and GSIS, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said that the teachers’ issues with GSIS services always top their list of concerns, along with their problem with the delayed performance-based bonus (PBB).

“Some of the concerns of DepEd employees with GSIS are older than our employees’ children. Matagal na po talaga ‘yung paulit ulit nila na tanong at mga reklamo. Napansin namin marami sa kanilang tanong at mga concerns ay nasasagot naman kaagad, kulang lang siguro tayo sa paglapit doon sa sagot sa mga teachers na nagtatanong,” she said.

(They’ve been asking questions and raising complaints for a long time. We have noticed that many of their questions and concerns were addressed immediately. But maybe we've fallen short in bringing these solutions to teachers.)

Duterte stressed that financial security was among the sources of anxiety for teachers.

Thus, under the signed MOA, the GSIS committed to establishing more express lanes in its central office and all its branches nationwide that would exclusively serve teachers and DepEd personnel.

Account officers would also be designated as official and exclusive liaisons dedicated to DepEd concerns.

The GSIS hotline would also have an option that would particularly address DepEd personnel inquiries.

There would also be an annual dialogue between GSIS branches and DepEd representatives to discuss and address their concerns on GSIS matters.

GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso said the details of the MOA would be implemented “immediately.”

A total of 1,025,823 authorized personnel were working under DepEd, 888,888 of whom are teachers.

Duterte said the initiative was “very timely” as National Teachers’ Month leading to World Teachers’ Day was being celebrated.

“This confirms our commitment to provide solutions to the concerns of our employees and to move forward with the renewed and stronger institutional collaboration anchored on our shared objective to best serve Filipinos and our country,” she added. — DVM, GMA Integrated News