BACOLOD City – The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is speeding up the release of the benefits of the Paglaum Village Elementary School (PVES) teachers who figured in a road accident in Barangay Igmaya-an, Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental.
Wick Veloso, GSIS president and general manager, on Friday, June 21, said the GSIS is closely working with the Department of Education to ensure that the claims are released promptly.
“The GSIS is committed to ensure that their benefits are processed swiftly, offering relief during this difficult time,” Veloso said.
On June 14, a Bacolod City-owned bus carrying passengers including 35 teachers and staff members of the PVES and their immediate family members fell on its side when its brakes malfunctioned.
Teacher Arlyn Tolosa Verde, 42, died while 30 others were injured.
They were on their way back to Bacolod from a team building in Sipaway Island, San Carlos City.
Veloso said the dependents of Verde are eligible to receive death, survivorship, funeral, and personal accident insurance benefits.
The injured teachers, meanwhile, can avail themselves of medical reimbursement through their personal accident insurance and may also file for an Employee’s Compensation claim related to the accident.
Earlier, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the city government provided hospital assistance to all the injured passengers, most of whom were discharged from various hospitals.
Benitez added that initial report he received showed that the accident was caused by brake fade, brought by overheating due to friction on the brake pads./PN
