GSIS acts fast on ‘missing’ UMID card

I would like to thank the Inquirer for publishing my letter, “GSIS unsure as to where UMID card went astray,” in its Sept. 16 issue. The Government Service Insurance System favorably responded to my request as it finally released my Unified Multipurpose ID (UMID) card in a prompt and professional manner.

On the day my letter was published, GSIS-Tuguegarao, through Jun Bagasao, called me up and informed me that they had with them my card, and he promised that it will be sent to GSIS Pasay through courier service after the call. The next day, Sept. 17, our authorized liaison agency officer Dick Demoral phoned me to tell me that GSIS had advised him that a GSIS official will personally hand over to me my card the next day. Late afternoon of the same day, lawyer Dionisio Ebdane Jr., a senior vice president of the GSIS, made a call on behalf of GSIS Chair Daniel Lacson and expressed apologies for the distress I went through in locating my card. He said that on orders of the GSIS chair, a department manager, representing the office, will visit me in my office the next day. I felt flattered and humbled by this gesture, and told him that I will just personally get my card from the GSIS office later. But he was insistent and I gave in.

On Sept. 18, GSIS department manager Sonia Holgado, accompanied by a staff member, Paul Salgado, and by our liaison officer, came around to my office and delivered to me my card, offering apologies which I readily and humbly accepted. Holgado said that because of the trouble I went through, Chair Lacson has directed that all GSIS employees be reminded of their roles and functions to serve their constituents well. In turn, I earnestly appealed to the manager that the GSIS not take action against the employees responsible for my card’s “loss.”

By the way, no less than Marikina Vice Mayor Jose Fabian Cadiz was present and thanked the GSIS, through Holgado, for the time and effort they spent in locating my UMID card and delivering it to me in person.

Thank you, Inquirer.

—REGINALD B. TAMAYO,

assistant city council secretary,

Marikina City