• COVERSTORY

• Gina dela Vega-Cruz

BY NOW, OUR DEAR CLIENTS, you may have become familiar already with what PRS Aplus stands for. After all, this is the fourth time we are announcing the happy news that, once again, your pre-need company has been adjudged as having "AN ABOVE-AVERAGE CAPACITY TO MEET ITS FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS…"

We are especially proud of this rating because of the following reasons:

1. We hold the record of being the first and only pre-need company thus far to have opened its financial books for scrutiny by an objective and prestigious third party - the Philippine Rating Services Corporation (http://www.philratings.com).

In its latest bulletin, the credit rating agency explained the rating as coming from "Berkley's demonstrated good earnings from its trust fund investments…its adequate coverage of its actuarial reserve liabilities… and its ability to maintain its market position in its chosen field — the educational plan market — in spite of keen competition and negative industry developments."

2. We have been rated PRS A plus for four (4) consecutive years now. This proves consistency on our part and we can proudly state that it finds its roots in our financial strength.

Further, the mother company in the US — W.R. Berkley Corporation — has never had it so good. It is in the roster of Fortune 500, a listing of the top companies in America. In its field of property and casualty insurance, it ranked # 18.

3. The rating comes at a most vulnerable and challenging time for the industry. The past quarter was marked with a series of write-ups that put not only a few players but the whole industry as well in the spotlight of public scrutiny.
Getting a corporate credit rating of PRS Aplus once again shows that you have nothing to worry about. Certain news may bring about anxieties to some but not to you, our dear planowner. Your future is secure and safe.

With this good news, we renew our commitment to continue improving our products and services, all with a view to growing stronger, bigger and better for all of you.