CHIZ WANTS CLASSROOMS IN DISASTER PRONE AREAS INSURED

Opposition senator Chiz Escudero has drawn up plans to insure every classroom in areas where disaster usually strikes. In the said plan, Escudero has tapped the Government Insurance System (GSIS) as the insurance's underwriter as it is already the agency in-charge of handling government's insurance policies.

Escudero has asked the GSIS to immediately release the details of policy and claims procedures as the onset of the rainy season already began in the country.

In the said program, 25, 890 identified classrooms from regions 5 and 8 will be the beneficiaries of the insurance against the following disasters: (1) fire and lightning, (2) typhoon and flood, (3) earthquake fire and shock, (4) extended cover such as volcanic eruption, tsunami, landslide, riot and civil commotion and aircraft and vehicle impact.

The premium of the said insurance will be paid based on a funding mechanism prepared by the senator's office. Each school in the Bicol and Quezon areas will be provided with a policy drawn up by GSIS.

Cover of the policy is based on a replacement value estimated to be P300, 000 on a no-fault, outright payment clause. In a meeting however, the GSIS asked the senator to conduct an inspection first on the school buildings in the above-mentioned areas to determine the real values of the school building before they can issue the policy of the insurance program.

Escudero said this program is urgently needed especially in the Bicol region and the because they receive the most and direct impact of disasters. "It is always a sorry state to see our classrooms, which is supposed to be the bastion of knowledge of our children go down with the flood and other perils. Most of the times, repair and rebuild has not started yet and here comes another disaster. With this program, we just want to ensure that an immediate contingency plan will be in effect when disaster strikes."

Escudero said that in effect, an insurance policy such as this should be shouldered by the local government, as in the case of major cities like Quezon, Makati and other metro manila areas. However, LGUs in the provinces and depressed areas with small IRAs (internal revenue allotment) cannot usually allocate funding for this. "Of course, even if they want to, they would rather prioritize the usual expenditures endemic to the municipality."

The senator has tasked the GSIS to fast track the details of the cover for each school. It will come in an understandable manual, which will be provided to the principals of each school.

Proceeds of any claim shall be given to the barangay in charge of the school. It will be the duty of the barangay to rebuild or repair the classroom, when damaged.

Escudero said the proceeds of extra remuneration should be used to purchase personal accident insurance for all the teachers in the damaged areas. The amount of extra remuneration shall determine the details of the personal accident insurance cover.