What is the role of AAOs in loans processing?
When the GSIS gave agency authorized officers (AAOs) the task of certifying loan applications of members, it underpinned the message that the pension fund intended to send to other government agencies - shared responsibility.
After all, if the GSIS can be likened to a well of loans, then AAOs could be the bucket that fetches the water from that well.
“We asked every government agency to appoint an AAO to help us process loan transactions. If an agency does not have an AAO, the loan application of that agency’s employees will not be processed,” said GSIS PGM Winston F. Garcia. “Loan processing is not only the responsibility of the GSIS. Other agencies must do their share, too.”
In line with giving AAOs a very important role in loan processing, the GSIS has also strictly implemented the electronic certification of all loans and subsequently disabled manual certifications in all GSIS servicing offices.
This transition is in accordance with the vision of the GSIS of making its frontline operations totally paperless.
The GSIS also takes care of the installation of radio frequency identification (RFID) reader in a dedicated personal computer with the desired specifications needed for loan certification.
“The task prior to the appointment of AAOs compared to the time when personnel officers handle loan transactions is basically the same. But with electronic certification, a new process is introduced. There are new procedures to be learned because of the electronic format and the fact that we did away with all the paperwork,” Mr. Garcia added.
Among the new loan packages the GSIS has recently made available to members include the P10,000 eCard Plus Cash Advance and the Consolidated Salary Loan Progam or Conso-Loan. Members can apply for both the P10,000 Cash Advance and Conso-Loan using the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System or GW@PS kiosk. The Conso-Loan can also be applied over-the-counter in any GSIS servicing office.
To enable their employees to avail of these two loan windows, government agencies are required to have AAOs who are trained for the electronic certification system and have also enrolled and activated their eCard Plus.
Source: GSIS Kawani, Vol. 1 No. 1, January - April 2007