GSIS-authorized officers get accident insurance benefits

CEBU, Philippines - The Government Service Insurance System has recently released a total amount of P639,158.10 for accident and death insurance benefits of its four agency authorized officers (AAOs) from the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Two AAOs—Nicanor P. Gondaya of the DPWH-8 and Luz Divina B. Prudente of the DENR-Kidapawan received their medical reimbursement insurance claims of P9,316 and P50,000, respectively.   

Another AAO, Alvin Asuncion was killed and his family received P50,000 death benefit and another P10,000 bereavement assistance from the GSIS.

MA. Socorro Esperat, AAO of DPWH-9 also died due to a vehicular accident and her family received Php519,841.70 for the medical and burial assistance.

Based on the GSIS Information Bulletin No. 2011-01, the agency provides for Enhanced Personal Accident Insurance benefit to AAOs due to contingencies of death, accident and unprovoked murder.

The insurance also covers all forms of accidents, including dog bites and accidental gunshots, among others.

Among those who are entitled to this free program are principal AAOs and their alternates. AAOs will remain entitled as long as they remain legitimate employees in their respective agencies and registered with the GSIS. This is renewable every year.

With the insurance coverage, AAOs are covered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, wherever the accident occurred.

All AAOs concerned are hereby advised to strictly observe the requirement of GSIS regarding filing of due notice of any contingency to GSIS within 14 calendar days from the date of accident or death.

The required notice may be sent thru the assigned membership coordinator of the AAOs.

The GSIS gives free Enhanced Personal Accident Insurance to its AAOs in recognition of the latter’s crucial role in the pension fund’s processing of the loan applications of members.

AAOs are the ones that certify the loan applications of employees of their respective agencies through the electronic certification system required by the GSIS.

They also submit an agency remittance advice to the pension fund, containing the updated data of the member including salary adjustments, change of status, and change of position, among others, in electronic remittance format. — /WAB (FREEMAN)