The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) on October 18 launched the distribution of electronic credit and bank cards to its 1.5 million members nationwide.

Winston Garcia, GSIS president and general manager, said the e-card will abolish the traditional and time-consuming system of "pila" among members just to get their cash and other benefits.

Also to be benefited are pensioners and the families of GSIS members.

With the e-card, members can transact business without personally going to GSIS offices. They can apply for loans and get the proceeds from automated teller machines of BancNet, Megalink, and Expressnet.

They can also inquire about their financial status through their e-cards.

Garcia said the e-card makes the GSIS the most advanced and service-oriented among government-owned and controlled corporations.