State pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) signed an agreement with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) to strengthen its client data sharing security in a ceremony held at the GSIS head office in Pasay on Tuesday, July 17.
The signing was led by GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso and LANDBANK President Lynette V. Ortiz.
“With this Agreement, our stakeholders are assured that their private, confidential information are safe and secure with us. Makatitiyak sila na pangangalagaan natin ang kanilang data privacy at protektado ang kanilang sensitive information kasama na ang kanilang financial data,” GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso said.
Under the agreement, GSIS client data will be shared with LANDBANK to allow same-day issuance of LANDBANK Visa Debit Cards to members and pensioners upon enrolment at the GSIS Main Office in Pasay City.
Through the LANDBANK Cards, members will be able to conveniently receive and withdraw their claims and proceeds from GSIS.
Both parties commit to securely store GSIS clients’ personal data by implementing the needed organizational, physical, and technical security measures. They will also ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the data and protect them from accidental or unlawful destruction, alteration, unauthorized disclosure, unlawful processing or use, fraudulent misuse, or loss.
“This data sharing agreement is crucial as it defines the scope and parameters of proper data use. It also outlines the security measures we need to implement to protect our members’ data and the protocols to follow in the event of a data breach,” added Veloso.
The agreement is compliant with Republic Act (RA) No. 10173, the Data Privacy Act of 2012, and National Privacy Commission Circular No. 2020-03, which guarantee the security and protection of personal information in the government and private sectors.
“With enhancing data privacy and cybersecurity at the top of our priorities, I assure you of LANDBANK’S commitment in protecting the confidentiality and integrity of all the data and information to be shared under this agreement,” LANDBANK President Ortiz said.
GSIS and LANDBANK have designated Data Protection Officers to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the shared information.
GSIS recognizes that data sharing security is central to the digitalization process. In May, the pension fund reported a 95% digitalization rate in members’ transactions using the GSIS Touch mobile application and the GSIS Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosks. With members and pensioners shifting to these convenient channels, GSIS is taking measures to safeguard their data.
In June, GSIS also signed a similar data sharing agreement with the Department of Information and Communications Technology to maintain the accountability and responsibility of both agencies as they advance digital innovation.