Inquiries on deposit insurance claims status will be a text away when state deposit insurer Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) starts to implement the TextPDIC project this year in collaboration with Sybase Solutions Corporation. PDIC and Sybase recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to tap the short message service (SMS) technology to enhance PDIC’s services to the depositing public. Initially, TextPDIC provides the depositing public easy access to information on the status of their claims with PDIC. Other SMS services will be made available to the public once they are fully implemented. TextPDIC facility will be available to subscribers of the major cellular networks.

PDIC President Jose C. Nograles said that TextPDIC makes it easier for depositors to inquire for updates on their claims, as well as ensures prompt and accurate transmission of information to depositors.

Designed to benefit depositors from provinces to save on cost of long distance calls and transportation fare, the TextPDIC project also complements PDIC’s existing depositor assistance facilities such as its Public Assistance Helpdesk, call center, letters, e-mails and web-based inquiry form. This facility helps reduce the number of queries coursed through the Public Assistance Department (PAD), which receives a daily average of 500 queries.

The project will be officially launched this month. The SMS technology has revolutionalized service in the public sector as the number of government agencies adopting the text facility continues to increase through the years because of its affordability and efficiency.