Pre-Need Consciousness Week forum set on Feb. 9

INSURANCE Commissioner Dennis B. Funa will be the guest of honor and speaker in a forum highlighting the celebration of the 17th Pre-Need Consciousness Week led by the Philippine Federation of Pre-Need Plan Companies, Inc. (PFPPCI). This year’s theme, “Pre-need: Kabalikat ng Bawat

Pilipino,” underscores the role of the industry in helping Filipinos build better lives for themselves and their families.

The celebration starts with a thanksgiving mass today (Feb. 5) at the Sto. Niño de Paz Chapel in Greenbelt, Makati City and includes a bowling tournament among member companies on Feb. 7 at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, culminating with the Pre-Need Forum on Feb. 9 at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel.

The PFPPCI is an organization composed of pre-need plan companies offering life, pension and education plans. It aims to promote, protect and safeguard the interests of pre-need plan companies and plan holders as well as ensure the continued growth of the industry through compliance to good corporate governance principles.

Elmer M. Lorica, Federation president, said pre-need companies have a renewed sense of confidence that better days are coming as the industry gains stability and strength, Mr. Lorica is also president of Eternal Plans, Inc., a leading pre-need company.

According to Mr. Lorica, the pre-need industry is here to stay because the services that pre-need companies offer address basic and life changing needs of Filipinos. “The resurgent pre-need industry offers innovative programs and services catering in particular to the needs of Filipinos who build their dreams for a better life by instalment,” he explained.

“Despite the setbacks suffered by the industry in the past, demand for pre-need plans like life, education and pension plans remains significant because of the Filipinos’ desire to provide for the present and future needs of their families,” Mr. Lorica added.

The Pre-Need Federation is also considering a number of proposals on how to further develop the industry. One of these is the introduction of new preneed products., especially micro pre- need products that will be affordable to the low- income sector.

The annual celebration of the Pre- need Consciousness week was declared, through Proclamation No. 52 on May 30 2001, by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. It seeks to promote the concept of planning ahead to secure a better life. The proclamation also noted the contribution of the industry in providing employment and livelihood opportunities to Filipinos and to the growth of the capital market.