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September 1, 2020 marks the start of the “ber” months, signaling the forthcoming Christmas season that we always look forward to every year. The date becomes more significant because we also commemorated the 63rd founding anniversary of the Social Security System (SSS). This year’s theme is “SSS@63: Responding to the Times through ExpreSSS.”
Well, SSS just turned 63!!! Just like any other pensioner, SSS is getting stronger every year since its inception in 1957.
With the current pandemic crisis brought about by the Covid-19, this year’s celebration was one of the simplest and most meaningful events for the institution. We started the day with a flag-raising ceremony, observing physical distancing, followed by a holy mass officiated by Fr. Robert Reyes from the Diocese of Cubao, which was attended by SSS officials and employees at the San Lorenzo Ruiz Chapel at the second floor of our building.
In previous years, we usually have the traditional photo exhibit at the SSS Main Office Lobby graced by distinguished guests and local government officials. It was here where we usually showcase our anniversary theme and new programs and services. This is followed by the Balikat ng Bayan Awarding Ceremonies, where we recognize our partners in promoting the welfare of their employees, and the Employee Awards where we bestow recognition for exemplary personnel performance. As the SSS currently implements strict health and safety protocols mandated by the government, all our anniversary activities this year are mostly virtual. Yet we successfully highlighted our anniversary theme, which features the enhanced SSS online services that aim to provide our members, employers, pensioners, and other stakeholders with simpler, faster and easy transaction when they register and file their benefits and loan privileges with SSS.
I am proud to be part of this institution as President and Chief Executive Officer upon my appointment in 2019. With all the improvements and developments that my predecessors have incorporated for our members, and our programs as well, I envisioned the SSS to focus on digitalization. I am grateful that Chairman Carlos Dominguez III who heads the Department of Finance (DOF) and Social Security Commission (SSC) shares my commitment that SSS must expand the use of digital technologies for the prompt delivery of our services. This is also in sync with SSS’ compliance with Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, which will help ensure the continuous delivery of services amid the pandemic.
We have lined up monthlong online activities through our Facebook page and YouTube channel as well. On Monday, we released our anniversary video in all our social media accounts with the launch of our product brand, “ExpreSSS.”
We are also conducting a continuous information drive about the ExpreSSS services starting today, September 2, which will run until the end of the month through various webinars in our SSS Facebook page thrice a week. Topic discussions will focus on Unemployment, Retirement, and Funeral online applications, bank enrollment of disbursement accounts, SS number applications, Payment Reference Number Generation, Employment Report (R-1A) Form submission, Sickness Notification, Maternity Notification, and Sickness Benefit Reimbursement Applications.
Though we didn’t have this year our face-to-face “kumustahan and kwentuhan” with our pensioners during our traditional SSS Pensioner’s Day and Member’s Day in all our branches nationwide, we are encouraging them to stay safe in their respective homes or workplacesas they try our online services, which will keep them updated with our programs 24/7.
Since 2004, it is noteworthy that every September has been declared the Social Security month, a fitting tribute to our institution that has been every Filipino worker’s lifeline in every contingency, especially in times of sickness, maternity, disability, unemployment, retirement, funeral and death.
Indeed, taking the reins of SSS leadership is a challenging but worthwhile experience. I realized that it’s also a big responsibility in looking after our members’ welfare in general. For the past 63 years, we have improved and made innovations to our system processes, launched additional programs for the benefit of our members and pensioners, and launched online and digital transactions. Indeed, SSS has really gone a long way in terms of technology and service enhancements.
On this note, I would like to commend all our SSS officials and employees for their sacrifices, loyalty and dedication in serving our members and stakeholders for the past 63 years.
Mabuhay at Happy Anniversary, SSS!
Aurora C. Ignacio is SSS president and chief executive officer.
We welcome your questions and insights on the topics that we discuss. E-mail mediaaffairs@sss.gov.ph for topics that you might want us to discuss.
1 comment
Why people still make use of to read news papers when in this technological
world all is existing on net?