P2.5B allotted to settle unpaid GSIS dues of teachers
The national government has earmarked an initial P2.5 billion to settle the unpaid compulsory social security contributions of thousands of public school teachers, House Assistant Majority Leader and Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas said recently.
The new allocation for the overdue contributions to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is contained in the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund of the proposed P1.816-trillion General Appropriations Act for 2012, according to Gullas.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has acknowledged that government owes the GSIS up to P9 billion worth of contributions.
The arrears represent the employer’s share as well as the employee’s portion of the GSIS dues of thousands of civil servants, mostly teachers hired in recent years.
“The P2.5 billion allotted for 2012 is just the initial payment. The DBM said the entire balance will be settled in installments over the next five years,” Gullas said.
The previous administration allowed the unpaid dues to pile up. As a result, thousands of teachers have been deprived of entitlements as bonafide GSIS members, including their eligibility to obtain quick low-cost loans.
With government’s commitment to make the payments, Gullas said the GSIS has agreed to condone P15 billion worth of interest charges previously slapped on the outstanding dues.
Nickelodeon tours Manila schools — Nickelodeon’s Nick Takes Over Your School program continues to visit different schools around Metro Manila to promote fun, sportsmanship, team spirit and the Nick-style physical and mental challenges among grade school students.
The event this year themed ‘Sharpen your mind!’ features activities and games such as the Play Pledge (above), fun races and exciting relays.
One of the most-awaited segments is ‘Slime Time,’ where students and teachers, are showered with the green glorious goo every time they answer a Nick question correctly. One of Nickelodeon’s favorite characters SpongeBob SquarePants, Aang or Danny Phantom also drop by for a visit. School tours are also scheduled at the PAREF-Northfield School, San Beda College Alabang, Escuela de Sophia, Gideon Academy and Statefields School.
The GSIS earlier warned that more than 25,000 civil servants stand to lose their pensions and other benefits, unless national agencies and local government units (LGLGUs) in default settle their dues.
The pension fund said 287 agencies and LGLGUs have already been suspended for negligence in remitting their employees’ contributions and loan repayments. Employees of these delinquent public offices are now ineligible to apply for loans and receive cash dividends from the GSIS.
mb.com.ph
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