THOUGHTFUL RESPONSIBLE PR FROM PHILAMLIFE

It is thoughtful and smart of Philamlife to be doing what it has been doing over the past few days, since AIG in the U.S. announced that it is going to sell  it off. The other day,  Jose L.  Cuisia, Jr., President and CEO,  conducted a press conference to reiterate a previous message: that the company's policyholders need not worry for it is  very strong financially, and that it  can fulfill its obligations. Before that the company had published full-page "reassuring" ads in major newspapers, and still does. "The financial issues pertaining to our parent company, AIG, do not affect our ability to pay claims and underwrite new policies," the ad says. 

Mr. Cuisia answered media queries cooly and authoritatively. The company's message has been fairly clear and strong: that  as a leader in life insurance  for many years, it is strong and stable and will abide by all  its commitments and obligations. The fact that it is now up for sale will not change that.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer has a report today ("Worried mom visits Philamlife to get money, comes out reassured") on how Philamlife has assigned employees to meet and talk to worried customers who come to withdraw their deposits (from PhilamSavings Bank).

It is thoughtful, smart and responsible of Philamlife to be doing all  these. A company that is going through  uncertain times has a responsibility to give its stake holders the true picture, promptly. It needs to keep reassuring them that management is on the job and is  looking after interest as their prime concern. It has to come out publicly with statements that are clear, simple and credible. 

All these Philamlife is doing. It is acting responsibly, which is just as good PR as anyone can do.