Razed post office building insured for ₧604M–GSIS

THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) said the razed Manila Central Post Office, including its various contents, is insured with the state pension fund amounting to P604 million.

In a statement, GSIS said it immediately dispatched adjusters to the fire scene a few days ago even if there was no official fire-out declaration yet from the Bureau of Fire Protection.

“We also deployed drones to completely evaluate the affected structures. We are very much aware of the historical significance of the building and we would like to assist in its rebuilding efforts in every possible way,” GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo A. Veloso said last Monday.

Veloso said GSIS is offering its Pasig warehouse to serve as a temporary workplace for the employees of the post office.

The GSIS is also willing to extend a loan for the reconstruction of the Manila Central Post Office, which houses the Philippine Postal Corp. (PPC) and is considered an important cultural property in the country, Veloso said.

“Its loss will have a huge impact on our rich cultural heritage. We need to bring it back to its original splendor,” the GSIS chief added.

The GSIS said it will soon conduct a full-blown site inspection to determine the extent of damage sustained by the insured properties of the post office.

Earlier this week, Postmaster General Luis D. Carlos assured the general public that the PPC will remain operational as he ordered nearby Manila branches of PHLPOST to assist the public. (Related story: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2023/05/22/fire-razesmanila-central-post-office/)

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said it is closely coordinating with PPC regarding the Phil-ids that may have been affected by the fire. (Related story: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/05/23/psanatl-ids-for-delivery-in-manilaaffected-by-post-office-fire/)