SSS branches open on Saturdays

MANILA, Philippines - All branches of the Social Security System (SSS) will be open every Saturday beginning Oct. 26, 2013 in line with the state pension fund’s thrust to better serve its members.

SSS officer-in-charge Edgar Solilapsi said the Social Security Commission has approved the extended branch schedule, which is aimed at accommodating members who cannot transact during regular business hours on weekdays.

“Under the new schedule, SSS branches will be open to serve members from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday, on top of their regular business hours on Mondays to Fridays,” Solilapsi said.

 â€œWe encourage members, as well as regular and household employers, to take advantage of this special SSS branch schedule, which starts on Oct.  26,” he added.

Members affected by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Bohol and Cebu are expected to benefit from the extended work schedule.

The package includes the salary loan early renewal program (SLERP) for members with existing salary loans; the waived one percent service fee for new salary loan borrowers; advance release of three-month pensions; and the fixed six percent annual interest rate and waived application fee under the special house repair and improvement loan program.

Solilapsi said a similar calamity relief package is also on-going for members and pensioners affected by Typhoon Santi, which left the town of San Miguel, Bulacan in a state of calamity.

At present, the SSS has 132 branch offices nationwide that serve over 30 million members and about 871,000 registered employers.

SSS plans to create additional 10 branches and increase the number of branch personnel to improve service delivery and enhance its accessibility to members and employers, especially with the continuing growth in SSS membership.

 â€œApart from SSS branches, members who plan to transact during the weekend can also visit SSS Service Offices in various malls nationwide, which are open from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” Solilapsi said.