Specialists at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and faculty members serving part-time roles at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UPCM) expressed gratitude to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for its policy change.

Previously, GSIS only recognized contributions from full-time positions, leaving part-time work unaccounted for in the computation of benefits.

Board Resolution No. 88, adopted on 24 September 2024, now allows the inclusion of the non-compensated government service of part-time professors and medical specialists of UPCM and PGH in the computation of their total length of government service.

The decision comes after a series of negotiations led by UP Manila Chancellor Michael Tee, Vice Chancellor Johanna Patricia Cañal, PGH Deputy Director for Administration Dr. Apolinario Ericson Berberabe, and PGH Chairperson of the Department of Surgery Dr. Rodney Dofitas.

UP Manila officials highlighted the selfless act of doctors who are serving even without compensation for the sake of their trainees and the patients.

“It was a sore point for many part-time doctors at the UPCM or PGH. They worked in the sister institution too, enough that they worked the equivalent of full-time hours, but they would only get credit for their compensated employment,” Cañal said.

"This little “gift’ from GSIS shows how much they appreciate the services rendered by UP doctors," Cañal added.

The new policy excludes those whose coupled assignment is with other government agencies and those who have already reached the required 15 years of total length of service.

As with regular members, the specialists are entitled to loan privileges and to a compulsory life insurance policy for each part-time employment.

Recognizing the additional service hours of UP doctors highlights GSIS’ ongoing efforts to improve the benefits system and ensure that the sacrifices and contributions of public servants are properly valued and compensated, according to GSIS President and General Manager Josep Arnulfo Veloso.

"This policy change reflects our commitment to recognize the full value of service that our members provide to the nation. At the GSIS, we understand that the dedication of our UP doctors goes beyond traditional employment boundaries, as they selflessly serve in multiple capacities to educate future medical professionals and provide critical healthcare,” Veloso said.

"By including previously unrecognized hours in their government service computation, we are not just enhancing retirement benefits—we are also acknowledging the true extent of their contributions to our country's healthcare and education systems," he added.

Dr. John Añonuevo, Chief of the Department of Medicine at PGH, thanked the GSIS Board of Trustees as he reflected on his decades-long service at the UPCM and PGH.

"I have worked for almost 34 years including the years of my training as a resident and fellow. For the past 28 years, I have been doing a dual role of clinical service to the PGH and training the future leaders of our medical community during their residency and fellowship programs,” Añonuevo said.

“Interspersed with these clinical roles is our duty to impart knowledge to our medical students. These roles were done with vigor and commitment to mentor our future leaders," he added.

The physician said the GSIS resolution "soundly reaffirms the selfless acts done by part-time faculty and medical specialists in UP Manila and PGH."

The GSIS resolution is expected to benefit surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, radiologists, pharmacology experts, and others who split their time between clinical duties at PGH and teaching duties at UPCM.