The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is urging government agencies to pay unremitted premium contributions to avail of penalty condonation.

"We encourage government agencies to enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with GSIS to assist you in settling the unremitted contributions of your employees. Magtulungan po tayo sa pagbibigay ng nararapat na ginhawa sa kapwa natin kawani ng gobyerno," appealed GSIS President and General Manager Rolando Macasaet.

A percentage of the penalties of the total amount of agencies' obligations will be condoned. Agencies may get 40% condonation on the penalties of their outstanding premium obligations if their account is in arrears for 7 months to less than 25 months; 35% condonation, if in arrears for 25 months to less than 37 months; 30%, if 37 months to less than 60 months; and 20%, if 60 months and above. On top of that, an additional 1 0% condo nation will be given to the agency if at least 20% of the total obligation is paid prior to execution of the MOA and 5% additional condonation if at least 15% is paid.

"We may even extend the condo nation rate to a maximum of 60% of the computed penalties on your premium arrearages, subject to approval. Seize this chance to help your employees and ensure that they will fully enjoy their privileges and receive the correct computation of their benefits. The program will also aid in maintaining a healthier pension fund," Mr. Macasaet added.

Qualified to enter into a MOA are government agencies with no existing agreement on premiums settlement yet with GSIS and those with pending cases due to nonremittance of premiums. The option is now also open to government agencies previously covered by SSS but are now under GSIS. This is also open to agencies which previously entered into a MOA with GSIS but failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the said agreement. Noncompliance must be due to valid reasons and subject to Board approval.

Agencies, which are interested to enter into a MOA, must submit a written request to GSIS to settle their obligations and reconcile the accounts of their affected employees. The updated service records of employees to be covered by the MOA must also be submitted.

Using GSIS and submitted records, the pension fund will come up with a statement of account to determine the total outstanding balance of the agency. Once the agency signifies their agreement with the total outstanding obligation, GSIS will process the request.

For inquiries, interested parties may visit the GSIS website, www.gsis.gov.ph or Facebook account, @gsis.ph; email gsiscares@gsis.gov.ph; or call the GSIS Contact Center at 8847-4747 (if in Metro Manila), 1-800-8-847-4747 (for Globe and TM subscribers), and 1- 800-10-847-4747 (for Smart, Sun, and Talk 'N Text subscribers). (GSIS)