MANILA, Philippines - Maseserbisyuhan na ng Social Security System (SSS) ang mga katutubong Ivatan at iba pang residente mula sa malalayo at liblib na lugar sa Batanes
Ito ay bunga ng ginawang pagbubukas ng SSS sa Batanes Service Office para maabot ang serbisyo ng ahensiya sa mga residente.
“The SSS, in partnership with the local government, has increased its presence in Batanes --- the country’s northernmost province --- by setting up an SSS Service Office at the Provincial Capitol Building in Basco. It is the first-ever SSS office established in this island province,” pahayag ni Josie Magana, SSS vice president for Luzon Operations.
“The Ivatans used to wait for the monthly visit of the field representative from the SSS Tuguegarao branch in Cagayan province to transact with SSS. The faster but much pricier alternative is taking a flight to Tuguegarao City since only cargo ships ply the route between Batanes and Cagayan. These barriers to SSS are effectively addressed by having a Service Office right in their own province,” dagdag pa ni Magana.
Ang Batanes Service Office ay bukas mula Lunes hanggang Biyernes mula alas-8 ng umaga hanggang alas-5 ng hapon.
Kabilang sa serbisyo ang maibibigay ay ang pag-isyu ng SSS numbers at SSS forms, receipt at proseso ng salary loan applications, compliance ng Annual Confirmation of Pensioners program, SSS Web assistance, verification ng membership records at application status.
Tatanggap din ang Batanes SO ng mga requests para sa pagtatama at pag-update ng mga miembro at employer data, maternity notifications at collection lists.
Patuloy ding tumatanggap ng PNB at Land Bank ng SSS contributions at loan payments sa lalawigan.
Sa kasalukuyan ay umaabot sa 400 registered members ang SSS sa Batanes.