Gabriela solon unites with Gov't workers vs. GSIS unified Multi-ID project

Makabayan-Nacionalista senatorial bet and Gabriela Women's Party-List Rep. Liza Maza expressed support for government workers who are up against a new ID card project for members of the Government Social Insurance System (GSIS).

"The Unified Multi-ID (UMID) is just another scheme to mulct money from members, secure a midnight deal for preferred contractors, and pave way for a repressive national ID system," Maza said.

"This new project is highly questionable since there are lots of GSIS-related problems such as the underpayment of premiums, delayed posting of premiums and loan amortization, and the most recent scrapping of the survivor pension for dependents, spouse and family of members," Maza added.

“Before entering into another project, the GSIS should first solve the problems that have long been plaguing the agency and until now are burdening its members, as well as improve its services,” Maza stressed.

Government workers, led by the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement Employees (COURAGE), are opposing the P270-million UMID project which seeks to replace the failed electronic card and e-card plus project of the GSIS.

The project is expected to cost P180 per member. There are an estimated 1.5 millpion GSIS members about 700,000 of whom are women according to a Civil Service Commission 2009 study. The UMID also plans to cover SSS, Philhealth and Pag-IBIG fund members.

"This is a big money-making racket with barely two months before elections. Why the sudden rush?," Maza asked.

"This also reminds us of a similar e-passport project of the Department of Foreign Affairs wherein a winning bidder in the middle of project implementation was eased out in favor of a preferred foreign contractor," Maza revealed.

"Social funds are meant for members' use and should not be abused by government for private gain," Maza said.

Rep. Maza has earlier sponsored House Resolution No. 333 for Congress to investigate a planned $1-billion Global Investment Program of the GSIS Board of Trustees, all appointees of President Macapagal-Arroyo.

Members of Gabriela are expected to join the government workers in a series of protest actions against the project. ###