MANILA, Philippines - Mobile phone transactions coursed through the Social Security System’s text-based facility surged to an all-time high of 601,936 last year as more and more of its members tapped the short-message service based technology to inquire about their contributions, benefits, loans and other concerns.
This was 106 percent higher than the 291,600 SSS transactions conducted using mobile phones in 2011, the SSS said.
A third of the 2012 figure or 212,174 accounted for contribution inquiries, 64 percent more than the 129,029 inquiries posted in 2011.
Mario Sibucao, SSS vice president for member services division, said the number of new Text-SSS users showed a similar surge of 107 percent with a total of 163,384 new registrants compared with only 78,795 members who joined the program in 2011.
The state-pension fund now has more than 313,000 registered Text-SSS users as of end-December last year.
“The Text-SSS enhancements we introduced last year gave members a huge incentive to use this facility, which brought steep growths in both registration and number of transactions. This year, we hope more members will register so they will also benefit from the ease and convenience that Text-SSS brings,†Sibucao said.
Launched in February 2010, Text-SSS was initially offered as a means for members to conveniently check their SSS contributions, loan balance and loan status using their mobile phones. Aside from meeting the needs of SSS members, this service was aimed at capitalizing on Filipino’s penchant for texting.
Last year, the SSS expanded its Text-SSS services to allow members to get updates on the status of their sickness, disability, maternity, retirement and funeral claims. Members can also send feedback on SSS programs and services through the text-based facility.
Other Text-SSS services also launched last year include inquiry facilities for members asking about the required documents for SSS registration, amendment of membership data and filing of benefit claims. Members can also check SSS branch locations via Text-SSS.
“By using Text-SSS and other self-service facilities such as the SSS website, members can check their SSS records and get information wherever they are. This access to information leads to their empowerment against negligent employers who fail to register them or remit their contributions,†Sibucao said.
Sibucao said with this facility, members save a lot of time, effort and money as compared to visiting an SSS office to follow up or inquire personally
To access the facility, members can text their SS number and birthdate using the format “SSS REG <SS Number> <MM/DD/YY>†to 2600. Each text message costs P2.50 for Globe and Smart subscribers and P2 for Sun Cellular users.