MikeLigalig.com

by pna

Close to 1,600 teachers and employees from the Department of Education in Basilan (DepEd-Basilan), who have been suspended by the GSIS since 2004 due to the non-payment of their contributions, may now enjoy their full benefits after the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the DepEd-Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the pension fund Tuesday.

“The agreement takes us a step closer toward the final resolution of this long-standing concern of teachers in DepEd-Basilan. We thank ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman for his partnership with GSIS and finding mutual ways to help restore the active status of our members in DepEd-Basilan,” president and general manager Robert G. Vergara said.

For his part, Governor Hataman said that “improving the plight of my constituencies, particularly the teachers and government workers, is a top priority of my administration and I will do everything in my power to help them.”

As of May 2012, the DepEd-Basilan has incurred P29.9 million in arrears covering the unremitted personal share premium contributions of its employees from May to September 2003 and accrued interests on delayed remittances from October 2004 to December 2005.

Out of this total obligation, the DepEd-Basilan, through the DepEd-ARMM, will settle P10.4 million following a 60 percent condonation on interest by the GSIS.

In June this year, the DepEd-ARMM paid P3.9 million which represents the unremitted personal share contributions of DepEd-Basilan employees from May to September 2003 leaving the unpaid accrued interests of P10.3 million which will now be covered by the agreement. This will increase the record of paid premiums of affected members, thereby proportionately increasing the loans and retirement benefits that they will receive.

The DepEd-ARMM commits to settle the balance over a period of one year under the agreement.

Vergara added that “the signing of the agreement is made even more significant as the Muslim Community celebrates the Hari Raya or Eid’l Feitr next week. We hope this development will add more joy and meaning to the much-awaited festival.”

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