IN my column last week, I mentioned that as of end-October 2014, the Social Security System (SSS) added eight new branches and 10 service offices to its nationwide network of frontline offices. What a difference three months make! As of year-end 2014, SSS opened 38 new offices. Of these new offices, 25 are full-service branches while 13 are service offices located mostly in malls.
In a news report, SSS President and Chief Executive Emilio De Quiros Jr. said, bringing the pension fund’s services closer to its more than 31 million members is among the agency’s top priorities, hence, it is committed to establish more offices across the country. He hopes the increased access to and visibility of SSS will also encourage more people to join the system.
Of the 38 new offices, 14 new branches and three service offices are in the National Capital Region (NCR), six branches and four service offices in Luzon, three branches and three service offices in the Visayas, and two branches and three service offices in Mindanao. By end-2014, SSS has 264 offices across the country located in the NCR (61); Luzon (119); the Visayas (41); and Mindanao (43).
Aside from more locations, selected SSS branches are open on Saturdays to serve members who are unable to transact during weekdays. These include branches in Diliman (main office), Makati-Ayala and Makati-Gil Puyat in the NCR; Cebu, Lapu-lapu, Bacolod and Iloilo in the Visayas; and Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Zamboanga City in Mindanao.
In 2015 SSS will continue to open new branches and service offices in strategically located areas where more members can be served. Aside from additional officials, some existing branches will be refurbished and upgraded to make them more comfortable and convenient for the transacting public.
What are some of the features of a full-service branch? Aside from online frontline counters, full-service branches have what is called an “e-center”, an area equipped with facilities that allow members to do self-service transactions. Such facilities include a number of information kiosks where members, using their SSS ID card, can access their own records with SSS and even print them; a work station with Internet access that members can use to enroll in the My.SSS online services found in the SSS website; and a telephone line for the automated telephone service or to call the SSS call center. These electronic services will be further enhanced in 2015 to make it more convenient for members and pensioners including those overseas to transact with SSS via toll-free calls.
SSS members can certainly look forward to more convenient and better service in 2015!
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For more information about the SSS and its programs, call our 24-hour call center at (632) 920-6446 to 55, Monday to Friday, or send an e-mail to member_relations@sss.gov.ph.
Susie G. Bugante is the vice president for public affairs and special events of the Social Security System. Send comments about this column to susiebugante.bmirror@gmail.com.