THE future is uncertain, yet Filipinos can feel secured.

How? By getting insured.

This is the message of the Philippine Insurers Club (PIC), the social group of the country's insurance industry, as it manages once again the annual Insurance Consciousness Week (ICW) on October 19 to 24.

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By holding public forums in Manila and Cebu, a symposium at a major school, and guesting in various television shows and radio programs, the PIC aims to highlight the importance of being insured in troubled times such as these.

The PIC is not alone in managing the ICW 2009. It is being funded by the Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association (Pira), the umbrella organization of all non-life insurance companies in the country, and supported by the Insurance Commission. The Corporate Guarantee and Insurance Company (CGIC), the only insurance firm that started in Pampanga, is one of the top sponsors of this year's celebration.

Gilbert Fernandez, First VP and COO of CGIC, said the company welcomes all inquiries from the public on any insurance-related matters.

"We understand that Ondoy made them aware of their vulnerabilities. We want them to know that CGIC is here to enlighten them on insurance. They can call us anytime," he said. (For more information on insurance, visit www.cgic.com.ph)

Ben Oandasan, PIC President for 2009-2010, told the program So To Speak, a weekly talk show aired over Central Luzon Television (CLTV), that the theme "Security Amidst Uncertainty" is very timely as it underscores the importance of being secured while trying to cope with the present economic crisis. And he said the recent calamity brought by tropical storm Ondoy was a wake-up call for Filipinos to start appreciating the importance of insurance.

"We Filipinos tend to think of insurance as an expense, not as investment.

The devastation brought by Ondoy made us realize that we should now start investing on insurance especially with the rapidly changing climate and the reality of global warming," he said.

Mario Valdez, General Manager of the Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association (Pira), the umbrella organization of 87 insurance companies in the country, said Ondoy left billions of damage to businesses, homes and motor vehicles.

But he stressed that the insurance industry is sturdy enough to take these damage and pay off claims from insured Filipinos.

"Times like these are the shining moments of the insurance industry because during these trying moments, people realize the importance of being insured," he said.

The Insurance Consciousness Week is a celebration initiated 10 years ago by the non-life insurers. Initially observed in May, it was moved to October some years back to coincide with similar events being celebrated throughout the Southeast Asian region by non-life insurance companies.

It seeks to promote the value of insuring one's car, house, business, well being and other precious assets against natural and man-made perils. It also aims to educate average Filipinos whose "bahala na" mentality unnecessarily exposes them to risks. Through the ICW, these Filipinos - from ordinary students, minimum wage earners, and even wealthy business owners - get to know the importance of securing the things they do not want to lose.

This year's celebration kicked off with a Thanksgiving Mass at the Insurance Commission last Monday, October 19.

It was followed by a symposium on risk management at the Mapua Institute of Technology on October 20 and charity works for the victims of Ondoy on October 21 and at the orphanage of Hospicio de San Jose on October 22.

The celebration would move to Cebu City on October 23 with a motorcade and public forum organized by the Cebu Insurers Club before going back to Manila on October 24 for a day of badminton competition among insurance practitioners. Oandasan added that on top of promoting insurance with the general public, this year's ICW also wants to harmonize further the industry through various activities.

"The industry will also be more secured if it is united. We can best serve our clients if we think and move as one," he said.