Sen. Jinggoy Estrada – Jinggoy Estrada/Facebook
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada questioned the allegedly unpaid barangay officials’ insurance fund at a Senate committee on local government hearing on Tuesday.
“In your position paper three years ago, you stated that the national government has been delinquent in remitting the required premium contributions to the barangay officials’ insurance fund. Has it really been that long—since 1995?” asked Estrada.
GSIS acting Chief Legal Counsel Atty. Lucio Yu Jr. confirmed the senator’s query, citing GSIS data.
“And that the national government has not settled the unpaid premium contributions despite due notice given by the GSIS. Totoo ba yun? As of November 30 of 2022, total premium receivables from [Department of Budget and Management] amount to at least P1.2 billion, Why are you not paying the GSIS?” said Estrada.
The DBM, represented by Budget Information Legislative Service Director IV Atty. Trisha Baraan, said the agency is well aware of the issue.
“I will check with our operations group. We are aware of that issue. Let me just double-check the latest status on our end,” said Baraan.
“I think we have coordination with the GSIS but we will update the committee on the latest status,” she added.
Estrada further sought confirmation if the GSIS really suspended the payment of claims for benefits in November 2001 due to the fact that the barangay officials’ insurance fund no longer has the funds to pay the claims and benefits of concerned barangay officials.
Yu signified the GSIS’ intent to coordinate and discuss the matter with DBM and added that he isn’t sure, at present, if Congress has appropriated a separate funding that did not go through the GSIS.
“Imagine—30 years. Since 1995, I was still a mayor back then. We have neglected the barangay officials and failed to provide them with sufficient funding and insurance coverage, even though this is mandated by law. Were you remiss in your duty, DBM? Why haven’t you been paying?” said Estrada.