GSIS workers deny seeking chief’s ouster

The Kapisanan ng mga Manggagawa (KMG) sa GSIS, consisting of 97 percent of Government Service and Insurance System employees nationwide, vehemently denied yesterday reports that they have demanded the ouster of GSIS president and general manager Winston Garcia.

"We have no reason to demand his ouster. We are therefore disclaiming allegations that we want him out. There is no such demand from the union," KMG president Jose Jimenez Jr. said.

He said their union is "happy over the fact that Garcia is very supportive of the employees of GSIS."

He also said news stories which came out in some national dailies claiming that GSIS employees want Garcia out does not reflect the sentiment of the great majority of GSIS employees.

"We have a regular dialogue with him. In fact, he even initiated dialogues with employees to explain the new programs of the System. We, therefore, see no problem in the way he is managing the organization," he said.

Mer Nilo Racimo, GSIS vice president for public affairs, also stressed that the GSIS workforce continues to support Garcia because the first year of his term has already been marked by improvements in the performance of the pension fund.

"In the financial front, because of changes Garcia has made in GSIS’s investment policies, we are anticipating a net income close to or maybe even more than P30 billion compared to last year’s P20 billion," Racimo added.

Racimo said Garcia’s programs are "member-focused and have concentrated on investing on members instead of private institutions."

He said Garcia has introduced successful programs that have been warmly received by GSIS members such as the Bahay Ko direct housing program, which offers a free house design and plan, and the Pension Loan where retirees can borrow an amount equivalent to their three-month pension.

He also said Garcia raised pension to as high as 25 percent and increased the dividend released by the GSIS in the year 2001 by 90 percent.

"In the pipeline is also another brainchild of his, the GSIS Smartcard, which can be used by GSIS members as an ID and an ATM card through which loan proceeds can be obtained by members wherever they may be," Racimo added.

"He has also directed the development of a new retirement scheme that will revolutionize the pension system in the government," he added.