SSS offices in NCR to operate from 6 to 6

MANILA, Philippines — Newly appointed Social Security System president and CEO Michael Regino has ordered branches in the National Capital Region (NCR) to extend operating hours to 12 hours every day.

Regino issued the instruction to all branch heads in Metro Manila to extend the operating hours of SSS offices from six in the morning to six in the evening, while some outlets were told to open even on Saturdays.

The extended operating hours aim to give members, employers and pensioners enough time to complete their transactions after members flocked to the SSS main branch in Quezon City.

“It pains me to see our members camping outside SSS offices quite early in the morning just to beat the queues and finish their transactions,” Regino said.

President Duterte replaced former SSS president and CEO Aurora Ignacio after hundreds of SSS members camped outside the building just to submit their documents in person, raising concerns on whether minimum health standards were followed.

“I hope those long queues and camping out will soon be a thing of the past. We owe it to our members, employers and pensioners to give them better service now that the pandemic restrictions are being lifted,” he added.

Apart from stretching operating hours, Regino directed 13 SSS branches, including the main office, to stay open every Saturday throughout March.

Likewise, the state-run pension fund manager will augment SSS outlets in Metro Manila with additional staff to accommodate the rising volume of transacting members swarming the offices daily.

Regino also mandated the information technology department of SSS to improve its digital  platforms.

According to him, SSS members have the option to do their transactions using electronic means so as to avoid falling in line in branches.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on Wednesday confirmed that Regino, who used to be SSS commissioner, was promoted as president and CEO of the provident fund.

Dominguez said Regino is expected to carry out programs that will upgrade the services of SSS and to look for ways to boost the reserves of the provident fund.