The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) files a formal petition asking the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to grant P20,000 calamity aid to all of its members affected by recent typhoons, floods and earthquake.
The petition signed by thousands of government employees nationwide highlights the severe impact of the consecutive natural disasters such as typhoons, massive flooding and earthquakes that affected 59 out of 82 provinces.
“Marami sa atin ang magpapasko na tuklap o nilipad ang bubong, wasak o giba ang dingding o pader, at nalubog o inanod ng baha ang mga kagamitan. Sa kabila ng mga pinsalang ito, tuloy ang serbisyo publiko nating mga guro, kawani sa sektor ng edukasyon at kalusugan, at empleyado ng gobyerno.” stated by ACT Chairperson Ruby Bernardo.
(Many of us will be spending Christmas with roofs torn off or blown away, walls damaged or collapsed, and belongings submerged or swept away by floods. Despite these losses, public service continues through our teachers, workers in the education and healthcare sectors, and government employees.)
In their press release, ACT also stressed that loans and payment moratoriums will not suffice and only deepen the burden of all the affected workers of the government.
ACT also emphasized that GSIS, as a top-earning corporation owned and controlled by the government, has the means and is obliged to extend immediate assistance to its members during calamities.
“Kaya inaasahan natin na ipapakita ng GSIS ang pagkalinga sa ating mga miyembro nito sa harap ng krisis at dagok ng sunod-sunod na kalamidad na pinatindi pa ng palpak at substandard na mga proyektong pinondohan mula sa buwis natin. Malaking bagay sa atin kung maibibigay ng GSIS ang panawagan nating P20,000 ayuda para makatulong bumangon ilang araw bago ang pasko at bago salubungin ang bagong taon.” Bernardo added.
That is why we expect GSIS to show care and concern for its members in the face of the crisis and the blows of successive calamities made even worse by flawed and substandard projects funded by our taxes. It would mean a great deal to us if GSIS grants our call for ₱20,000 in assistance to help affected members recover in the days leading up to Christmas and before welcoming the New Year.
ACT backed by All Government Employees (GE) Unity,including the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW), Filipino Nurses United (FNU), the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE), and Kawani Laban sa Kontraktwalisasyon (Kalakon).