Ex-CSC chief Duque takes helm at GSIS

By Riza Lozada 

State pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has a new chairman in Dr. Francisco Duque III, former chairman of the Civil Service Commission (CSC). His term started after ceremonies held at the GSIS Head Office in Pasay City. 

In his message, Duque said he considers it a privilege to serve the government again, particularly in GSIS, recounting how he personally witnessed its transformation over the last six years.

He recalled that when he was chairman of CSC, GSIS was among the most complained-about government offices in the CSC Contact Center ng Bayan from 2010-2011.

However, GSIS managed to make a complete turnaround and even topped the Anti-Red Tape Act – Report Card Survey (ARTA-RCS) conducted among over 1,000 public offices in 2014 and 2015.

ARTA-RCS is an instrument used to gauge citizens’ satisfaction on the quality of frontline service in government offices.

“GSIS went on to achieve other feats, such as the seal of Island of Good Governance from the Institute for Solidarity in Asia, and ISO 9001:2015 certification from TÜV Rheinland Philippines Inc.,” he said.

Duque said that under his watch, GSIS will chart a new six-year road map envisioned to propel the System to become one of the best pension institutions in the ASEAN region.

He added that the institution will be governed by the core values of professionalism, love of country, integrity, service excellence, spirituality, innovation, and teamwork.

Prior to CSC chairmanship, Duque served as health secretary from 2005 to 2010 and president and chief executive officer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. from 2001 to 2005.

He was the first to be awarded People Manager of the Year in Public Sector (National Level) by the People Management Association of the Philippines in 2014.

A multi-awarded government official, Duque has been hailed as a “pioneering educator, visionary civil leader, and innovating health care provider.”