GSIS: Fire-hit Post Office building insured for P604M

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) on Tuesday said the state workers pension fund is prepared to extend assistance for the restoration of the fire-ravaged Manila Central Post Office building.

“The damaged Philpost building and its contents are insured with the GSIS for P604 million,” GSIS president and general manager Wick Veloso said in a statement.

“To facilitate the insurance claims, we immediately dispatched our adjusters to the fire scene today even though no fire-out has been declared yet. We also deployed drones to completely evaluate the affected structures. We are very much aware of the historical significance of the building and we would like to assist in its rebuilding efforts in every possible way,” Veloso said.

The Bureau of Fire Protection declared, on Tuesday morning, that the fire at the building was out after more than 30 hours.

At least two structures inside the building were burned and the estimated cost of damage was P300 million, according to the BFP.

Veloso added that the GSIS will offer its warehouse in Pasig to serve as Philpost’s temporary workplace.

“Philpost needs a transitory workplace to allow it to seamlessly maintain its vital services while its restoration is going on,” the GSIS chief said.

“We are also willing to extend a loan to Philpost for the reconstruction of the building. The building has been declared an Important Cultural Property by the National Museum of the Philippines and its loss will have a huge impact on our rich cultural heritage.  We need to bring it back to its original splendor,” he said.

Veloso said that Philippine Postal Corp. (PhilPost) shall inform GSIS immediately once a clearance is issued by the BFP to enable pension fund to schedule a full-blown site inspection to determine the extent of damage sustained by the insured properties.—AOL, GMA Integrated News