The Social Security System (SSS) announces that its branches in Southern Luzon resume its operations starting May 18, 2020 after CALABARZON (except Laguna) was placed under General Community Quarantine (GCQ).
SSS branches located in Lipa; Lemery; Batangas City; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro; and Boac, Marinduque will open their doors to the transacting public following the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF’s) resolution on the implementation of GCQ in the said areas.
While the service office in Robinsons Place Lipa remain temporarily closed, transactions will still be accommodated by Lipa branch. The service office in Balayan, Batangas also remain temporarily closed, but Lemery branch will accommodate the transactions. Meanwhile, branches in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan and Odiongan, Romblon has resumed their operations on May 4 after the lifting of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in the said areas.
“The SSS is one with the country in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. SSS will operate with its usual office hours during weekdays from 8:00AM to 5:00 PM to continuously provide services to its members and pensioners from the regions,” Acting Vice President for Luzon South 2 Division Francisco P. L. Lescano said.
Precautionary and preventive measures are to be implemented to halt the spread of COVID-19 as part of the “new normal” operations. The transacting public must observe safety protocols such as wearing of face masks and social/physical distancing. All visitors and clients will also be required to accomplish the Health Declaration Slip upon entry of the branch offices. Under the GCQ, children and the elderlies will also be prohibited to enter the branch premises.
The branches also adopted number coding schemes wherein members will transact on a given day based on the last digit of their SS number except for Puerto Princesa branch. At SSS Lipa branch, they had limited its number coding scheme to employers’ transactions and payment transactions only.
Lescano also encourages its members to use the appointment system in the My.SSS facility so that they can transact in their chosen SSS branch without the need to wait for long queues. Meanwhile, the drop box system in branch offices will also be utilized for members that require the submission of documentary requirements such as benefit claim application, ACOP, member data change request (SS form E-4), and manual reports including quarterly collection list (R-3) and salary loan collection list (ML-2).
“Since we are adapting to a new normal, we would like to encourage our members to use the different electronic services such as the SSS Mobile App and Text-SSS to avoid overcrowding in our offices. These facilities will help them monitor the status of their SSS applications. The My.SSS account of employers, on the other hand, will enable them to submit reports on loan and contribution payments, among others,” added Lescano.
SSS Batangas and Lemery branches also launched their own text lines where members can send their queries through Short Messaging Service (SMS), while other branches may still be reached through designated emails and contact numbers. Members may contact SSS Lipa at (043) 756 1953 and lipa@sss.gov.ph, SSS San Jose at (043) 457 0093 and sanjose@sss.gov.ph, SSS Boac at (042) 332 1872 and boac@sss.gov.ph.
“We would like to assure our members in Southern Luzon that SSS will always be true to its mandate of providing an adequate and equitable social security protection through world-class service. While precautionary measures are in place, we ask for our members’ cooperation in this difficult times as their health and safety is always our top priority.” VP Lescano concluded. (P.R)
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