TO:
WHEREAS, the GSIS has established different branch offices all over the country to bring GSIS services closer to the country's public servants who comprise the GSIS' membership;

WHEREAS, GSIS members situated in the provinces comprise approximately sixty-five (65) percent of the total GSIS membership;

WHEREAS, the GSIS has decentralized many of its services by authorizing its branches to perform the same;

WHEREAS, the further decentralization of GSIS services will result in still greater convenience, reduced expenses, and speedier service to GSIS members who are closer to its branches rather than to its head office.

WHEREAS, such a decentralization program will enable GSIS members to transact business directly with its branches and will reduce or eliminate the need for them to travel to Manila for the purpose;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and direct the GSIS to decentralize its social-insurance services to its branch offices by authorizing these offices to process and pay claims for social-insurance benefits, to wit:

1. Retirement benefit under PD 1146, RA 660, and EA 1616;
   
2. Survivorship benefits under PD 1146 and RA 660;
   
3. Employee-compensation benefits under PD 626, as amended; and
   
4. Disability benefits under PD 1146.

In view of the administrative and other requirements of this undertaking, the GSIS shall implement the decentralization of the above services on a branch-by-branch basis, and shall complete the program not later than the end of 1987.

All government agencies, bureaus, and offices concerned are hereby enjoined to lend support to the GSIS to ensure the, success of the undertaking.

Done in the City of Manila this 4th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and eighty-six.