By DANNY O. SAGUN
PIA –Dagupan Infocenter

THERE may not be formal complaints by members of the Government Service Insurance System on the manner of filing their loans or claims thru the use of so-called kiosk machines, but the hi-tech system is drawing its own set of murmurs and criticisms from members.

Government workers have to troop to the GSIS office yet to make transactions thru the kiosks as was the usual practice when they file their applications for loans or claims personally before the advent of the eCard.

The GSIS office here in Dagupan
City is most of the time full of people coming from all over the province, it was observed.

The state workers, who wait for their turn patiently at the kiosks, feel frustrated when they find the system offline due to technical glitches. “Ito yong hirap sa sistemang ito pag nag-offline,” a middle-aged man was overheard as saying in frustration.

It was also observed that many cardholders have a hard time using the machine or getting familiar with it. The guards at the premises are thus forced to assist the members especially the older ones.

Told of the situation, Weda de Guzman of the GSIS Dagupan branch assured the members that they are doing their best to address problems that may crop up as expected of the new system.

She added that brownouts greatly affect the kiosks.

On the earlier announced possibility of making transactions thru the Internet, De Guzman said that the state insurance firm has yet to firm up plans on it.

Internet filing of loans or claims is done effortlessly. Members particularly from the far-flung areas do not need to travel that far and spend so much money and effort.

The kiosks, at present, can only accommodate activation of the eCard plus and filing of the so-called consolidated loan and cash advance. Policy loan is applied the usual way, it was gathered.