State pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is set to launch two mobile applications (apps) within the month so that clients can access their GSIS records and file their motor vehicle insurance claims using only their smartphones anytime and anywhere.
Even before the pandemic, GSIS has already been pursuing a “digital transformation” program with the deployment of the “GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System” (GW@PS) kiosks in 2006 to improve its processes and services. In 2014, the state pension fund further introduced web-based applications such as the “Electronic GSIS Member Online” (eGSISMO) and the “Electronic Billing and Collection System” (eBCS).
GSIS, in its report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, said that they developed the 2 upcoming mobile apps so that their clients will have continuous access to GSIS services despite the travel restrictions and safety concerns brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first mobile app dubbed “GSIS Touch,” shall initially feature three (3) service nodes, namely; 1.) the eGSISMO (mobile version), 2.) the GSIS Citizen’s Charter, and 3.) the directory of all GSIS Branches. The mobile apps were developed entirely “in-house” by the Information Technology Service Group (ITSG) of GSIS without help from outside tech consultants.
The GSIS Touch mobile app will allow active government employees to view their Member Service Profile (MSP) and service record, keep track of their premium remittances and loan payments, and know the maturity of their life, retirement, dividend, refund and Edu-Child claims, pre-need plans, and insurance policies. Retired government employees can likewise view their monthly pension releases and loan payments via the said mobile app.
The mobile app also features the GSIS Citizen’s Charter which contains the step-by-step guide and turn-around-times (TATs) for all GSIS transactions and processes, as well as the directory of all GSIS branches nationwide.
“GSIS is adapting to the times. People today not only demand instant access to information; they also require safe, convenient service because of the pandemic,” said GSIS President and General Manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet. “Our mobile apps will empower GSIS members and pensioners by giving them instant access to their individual service records, their premium remittances, and their loan payments – literally at the tip of their fingers. They don’t have to go to our branches anymore. They just have to tap in their cellphones. Malaking ginhawa ang maidudulot nito sa mga miyembro namin,” he added.
The second mobile app allows GSIS vehicle insurance policy-holders to submit/send photos of their motor accident and insurance claim documents thru their cellphones. The motor accident insurance claim shall then be processed by GSIS without the vehicle owner having to file the claim personally.
The GW@PS kiosk is an ATM-like machine that allows members/pensioners to apply for loans and check/update their records. More than 600 GW@Ps kiosks are deployed in provincial capitols, city and municipal offices, large government agencies such as the Department of Education, GSIS branch offices, select Robinsons Malls, and SM City branches nationwide.
eBCS is a web-based system that enables government agencies to forward their remittance documents to GSIS electronically over the internet, while the eGSISMO allows members/pensioners to access their GSIS records in their own respective desktop/laptop computers.
For his part, Finance Secretary Dominguez lauded GSIS for its pro-active efforts and called on other GOCCs to copy GSIS’s initiatives to make their services more convenient and easily accessible to their stakeholders.