The woes of government pensioners

It’s the 8th of the month. And government pensioners are again trooping to the ATM machines of Union Bank to withdraw their pensions. And to again experience the woes of helplessness amidst the unbridled ineptness of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

No, their woes are not so much because Union Bank has only two branches in Iloilo City to serve the thousands of government retirees in the city and province of Iloilo, including the nearby provinces. Why Union Bank was appointed as a transit or repository of retirees’ money is beyond me. Compared to Union Bank, other local banks, like Banco De Oro, have many branches and ATM machines strategically situated in different corners of the city, including inside the air-conditioned comfort of the malls. It is therefore not uncommon to see senior citizens forming a long queue in front of Union Bank even as early as 6:00am.

Today, retirees realized that their pensions have not been remitted. And that, many who came hoping to have money to buy food, medicines, and other requirements of their old selves have nobody to complain to but the sleepy bank security guards who had no idea what the GSIS was up to.

Late in the day, the local GSIS chief issued an explanation that GSIS was undergoing computer data migration and therefore was unable to remit the pensions on time. No date was given as to when the pensions would finally be remitted.

Last time, the pensions were paid in two installments within the month. The reason forwarded was also about the computer software.

As a computer software professional with years of experience in software development, implementation and maintenance, I was appalled at the reasons given. To me, not paying salaries or any payment due because of computer glitches is a mortal sin that warrants the termination of services of the computer geek concerned. Database migration, software implementation, and hardware changes are scheduled and done in installments so as not to affect services. I know how programmers behave. And to me, non-payments or late payments could only be caused by the insufficiency or absence of funds.

So, woe to the senior citizens who had been hoping for a comfortable life after serving the country and the people with dedication and pride. Today, they gathered at the GSIS building to air their grievances. Some were sitting and lying on the concrete floor because of exhaustion. Possibly others have not yet eaten. Poor people. I was glad Nanay has children. At least she was spared the indignity of queuing for nothing at Union Bank. But of course, as her proxy, I wasn’t spared.

But this is the Philippines. Can the shabby and lousy services be a ruse so that young people would be enticed or forced to go abroad? If they remain in the country, they just add up to the unemployment rate.

No wonder.@