GSIS chief tells teachers to prioritize payment of loans
CLARK FREEPORT — GSIS Chairman Francisco T. Duque III asked teachers and non-teaching personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd) to prioritize the payment of loans to the agency.
Duque issued the statement when he met with more than 500 Kapampangan GSIS members at Royce Hotel here yesterday.
According to Duque, the total loan of DepEd personnel with the GSIS are pegged at P23-billion.
“These past due payments represent about 10 percent of the total loan portfolio of the GSIS national which is about P260-billion,” Duque said.
The GSIS head said they had recently coordinated with DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones in connection with the issue.
“Nakikipag-ugnayan kami sa DepEd. Kamakailan lamang ay nakiusap kami kay Secretary Leonor Briones na ipatupad ang batas (General Appropriations Act) dahil malinaw doon na kapag bayaran ang pinaguusapan sa mga nangongolektang ahensya katulad ng GSIS, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, BIR ay dapat ito ang binibigyan ng prioridad,” Duque said.
He lauded Briones for her response by issuing DepEd Order Number 38 which prioritizes the payment of GSIS premiums and loan payments over other private lenders.
“We are heartened by the quick response of Secretary Leonor Briones who tasked the department’s liaison and agency authorized officers (AAOs) to ensure that the P4,000 take home pay under the General Appropriations Act is observed after GSIS loan amortization are deducted,” Duque sai d.
AAOs are responsible for approving the loans of agency personnel before endorsing the application to GSIS for processing.
Duque stressed the need to improve its loan collection efficiency in various agencies of the government particularly DepEd.
During the event in Clark, Duque also disclosed that GSIS has cut the retirement and loan processing time for members.
This year, GSIS is implementing a new system that will reduce the processing period for retirement and life insurance, motor vehicle and service loans, and the conduct of financial literacy programs for new government entrants and retiring members, according to Duque.
“Retirement and life insurance claims are now being processed within 30 days from 90 days even shorter that the prescribed 90-day processing time under the law,” Duque said.