Government retirees protests against GSIS

Jun Ariolo n. Aguirre
Kalibo, Aklan- About a hundredths of retired government employees and officials rallied in front of the Aklan provincial capitol Monday to protests the alleged inefficiency in performance of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

Ambrosio Villorente, president of the Government Retirees of Libacao (GROL) told this writer that among those they are protesting agains the GSIS were their demands for transfer of the GSIS-Kalibo office; the 'No E-Card No Pension' policy; questioning the legality of the Union bank as the official bank of the GSIS and the resignation of GSIS chief Winston Garcia.

The GSIS-Kalibo is currently located at the third floor of the Aklan provincial capitol building. The protesters said they have a hard time in climbing the stairs since they are already old and that the capitol has no elevator for an easy climb at the office.

"If President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo failed to accept the resignation earlier tendered by Garcia, then we might as well support the ouster of the president," Villorente told this writer.

"We also question the legality of the Union bank because why did the GSIS declared the said bank as their official bank since there are many government owned banks such as the Development Bank of the Philippines and the Landbank which the government could use," Villorente added.

Atty. Jesusa Ruby Teruel, GSIS-Kalibo chief said during the protest rally that they have already submitted the GROL concerns to the central office and are awaiting for their possible recommendations to mend ways to the protesters.