PROTECTING PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS
JEIMA GARCIA
With the rising frequency of natural calamities, protecting public school buildings has become a priority of the government.
The partnership between the Department of Education, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Bureau of Treasury (BTr) is a step towards ensuring financial resilience in support of the MATATAG agenda.
The provision of insurance coverage for public school buildings by the GSIS and BTr is expected to support DepEd's MATATAG agenda that is being envisioned to provide better quality of basic education for Filipino learners.
The GSIS recently provided fire insurance for more than 132,000 public school buildings under the DepEd effective Jan. 1, 2024 to strengthen the resilience of the nation's educational infrastructure.
The DepEd cited the collaboration as a "critical assistance" that through the GSIS and BTr, the agency can protect its public school buildings under the National Indemnity Insurance Program (NIIP).
The NIIP, an initiative of the BTr, aims to provide adequate and comprehensive insurance protection to critical government assets such as schools, hospitals, roads, and bridges.
Through this initiative, public schools nationwide will be covered from perils brought about by fire, lightning, and natural catastrophes for one year effective 01 January 2024.
The agency said the year 2024 truly brings renewed hope to its vision of a MATATAG nation. With the support of a whole-of-nation approach, it continues to strive for quality basic education that every Filipino learner deserves.
In addition to insuring DepEd’s school buildings, the GSIS has also provided a 24/7 personal accident insurance coverage for all DepEd personnel, covering death, and medical expenses.
Stronger partnership between DepEd and GSIS started last year when they signed an agreement that provided convenience among public school teachers and other DepEd personnel who visit and transact with the state pension fund.
The agreement also set a yearly dialogue between the DepEd and GSIS.
-oOoThe author is a Teacher I at Sta. Cruz Pambilog Elementary School