Non-life insurers sought the help of the Insurance Commission and the Finance Department after the Makati city government limited the issuance of policies to 15 accredited insurance companies.

Michael Rellosa, spokesman of the 92-strong Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association, said the Makati government had rejected business permit applications of companies that did not get their comprehensive general liability insurance from the 15 companies that the city had accredited.

Rellosa, president and chief operating officer of Fortune General Insurance, complained that business permits office officer-in-charge Ferdinand Eusebio issued a circular letter on Nov. 19, 2008 instructing Makati taxpayers to obtain their CGL insurance from providers accredited by the city government.

A CGL protects a business owner from all forms of liabilities?unless specifically excluded?arising from the conduct of his business. The policy is a requirement for getting a business permit.

Rellosa said the city government of Makati had rejected the CGL policies issued by Fortune General.

?In effect, the Makati government is telling business owners that only these 15 insurance companies are capable of protecting their business?which is totally untrue,? Rellosa said, adding that the new policy was discriminatory and unfair.

The 15 companies are Malayan Insurance, Philam Insurance, Pioneer Insurance, BPI/MS Insurance, Tokio Marine Insurance, Prudential Guarantee, Standard Insurance, UCPB General Insurance, Philippine Charter Insurance, Mapfre Insurance, PNB General Insurers, Federal Phoenix Assurance, Philippines First Insurance, Allied Bankers Insurance and Cibeles Insurance.

He warned that what Makati was committing an abuse of authority and must not be tolerated by Finance Department and the Insurance Commission. Lawrence Agcaoili