OFFICIALS from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Pag-IBIG Fund, and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) visited the House of Representatives to update the institution’s workforce on their latest benefits and services.
William Roi Bagay, Team Leader of the GSIS Claims Unit Frontline Services Division, presented attendees with the GSIS Touch app, which facilitates online purchases and lessens travel costs for retirees and pensioners.
According to Bagay, the app demonstrates GSIS’ commitment to provide consumer convenience.
He also discussed GSIS’s mandate, financial stability, contribution rates, membership and coverage. With an estimated 2.64 million members and pensioners, he said the GSIS provides a variety of benefits, including life insurance, retirement, separation, employees’ compensation (EC), funeral and survivorship benefits.
Pag-IBIG marketing specialist Agens Mamon encouraged attendees to continue saving and investing, saying that “life doesn’t stop after retirement.” She also enumerated the perks of being a Pag-IBIG member.
PhilHealth Information Officer Laurence Kenneth Rosales clarified that unlike GSIS and Pag-IBIG which provides pension-related services, PhilHealth’s primary mandate is health insurance, with its key benefit revolving around hospital coverage.
He added that PhilHealth contributions are being aligned with the Universal Health Care, or the 2019 Philippine UHC Act (Republic Act 11223).
Maritess Butalid-Zason, head of the House Personnel Development Welfare Group (PDWG), in her welcome remarks, emphasized the importance of the activity to present and retiring employees of the HRep.
“For our new employees … understanding the benefits and services provided by these agencies is crucial for making informed decisions about your future. For our retiring employees, today’s session will equip you with the necessary information to better prepare for retirement ensuring a smooth transition and a secure future,” Zason said.
House Deputy Secretary General for the Administrative Department Dr. Edgardo Pangilinan vowed that his office will continue to develop programs and give opportunities to all employees for them to enjoy their benefits.
“Just let us know what we can do more for you, and we will also be here for you,” Pangilinan said.
Government employees are required to be members of Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth and GSIS.
Employees remit 9% of their actual monthly salary to GSIS. Pag-IBIG contributions, meanwhile, are computed as a percentage of monthly wage. The present rate is 1% for both the employee and the employer, for a total of 2% of the employee’s salary. The contribution rate for PhilHealth members was recently raised to 5% of the employee’s monthly salary.
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