THE Department of Health (DOH)-Davao received on Monday, February 3, an insurance amounting to P46 million after one of its buildings was razed in 2016.
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) acting vice president for Mindanao Operations Vilma Fuentes, together with lawyer Jason Teng, GSIS senior vice president for the Visayas and Mindanao Group, turned over a check amounting to P46,373,182.58 to DOH-Davao since the department is covered under Fire Insurance Coverage.
“This represents the settlement for the fire insurance claim filed by DOH-Davao with the GSIS, relative to the September 23, 2016 fire which damaged some structures in their office compound at J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City,” Fuentes said.
Asked why it took almost four years to release the insurance fund, Fuentes said on the sidelines of the Kapehan sa Dabaw at The Annex Building of SM City Davao that it took a while for the DOH-Davao to comply with all the needed requirements.
“It also took the DOH to comply with the documentary requirements needed by the adjuster. Upon the completion of the documents, it was the time that we were able to pay. We have the adjuster inside, they are the one who facilitated and documented everything, they were the one who evaluated,” Fuente said.
Fuentes added that the check was received by DOH-Davao director Annabelle Yumang during their flag ceremony convocation program, which was also attended by GSIS Davao branch manager Deity Manampan.
The turnover of funds is in accordance with the Republic No. 656 (Property Insurance Law) which authorizes the GSIS to issue insurance covers for all the properties, assets and interests of the government, through its General Insurance Fund.
Government agencies, offices, and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) are required by law to insure all properties, assets, and interests of their respective offices with GSIS. However, Fuentes said that some offices only have fire insurance and not earthquake insurance.
It can be recalled that a series of massive earthquakes struck several areas in Mindanao wherein several buildings collapsed including government facilities. Since they only avail of fire insurance, they did not receive insurance funds from the GSIS.
“We are encouraging other government [agencies] to cover lalo na ngayon may earthquake. Sad to say nga sabi ni Manager Deity saying na damage na building hindi sila covered, covered ng fire but not covered ng earthquake,” she said.