SSS honors exemplary employees

MANILA, Philippines -  Serving 31 million members and 257 offices all over the world is no mean feat for the country’s Social Security System and its ranks of 5,201 employees.

With public service in mind, its employees assist members and constantly seek ways to provide greater access and convenience to more Filipinos.

Recently, SSS recognized its best employees who stood our from the crowd.

Named Best Support Service Employee was Susette T. Estacio of La Union Branch, who at one time performed the job of five employees when she took charge of all functions at the administrative section while serving as clerk of the accounts management section.

Estacio’s dedication was recognized in the 5S quality workplace standards that contributed to the La Union Branch attaining the 5S National Award in the Medium Branch Category. As the lone administrative staff, she prepared her unit for the requirements of ISO certification which significantly contributed to the branch’s milestone achievement of being ISO 9001: 2008-certified.

Estacio also created an OJT Primer for student-trainees, detailing office decorum and discipline required of them, their duties and other instructions to achieve a meaningful OJT experience with the SSS. She shared this primer to other SSS offices and the document has since served as a guide in the orientation of OJTs.

Lilibeth C. Suralvo of the Media Affairs Department, on the other hand, was honored  as Best Customer Service Employee.

Since April 2012, Suralvo has been patiently reporting at 4 a.m. twice a month for a live on-cam interview on UNTV’s morning show “Good Morning, Kuya”. Last year, she granted 116 TV and radio phone interviews, in the process highlighting the SSS culture of service-responsiveness. With her broad network of media friends and partners, she has been largely instrumental in cultivating goodwill for SSS with members and stakeholders.

After facing the cameras, it’s time for Suralvo to attend to media referrals and ensure that concerns are acted upon. In 2013 alone, she attended to more than 1,000 members, explaining to them the status of their claims and the necessary procedures to resolve their concerns. Her passion for public service has not wavered in the past 33 years that she has been with SSS.

Finally, internal audit service supervisor Froilan M. Misa was honored as Best Supervisor for various recommendations to safeguard the assets of SSS; strengthen internal controls; and systematize and simplify procedures.

Misa was lauded for initiating amendments to the Certificate of Loan Eligibility after he helped discover fraudulent processing of claims in several SSS branches.

Well-liked by subordinates and peers, Misa stressed that the output of his unit would not have been possible without the cooperation and support of his team members. With 24 years of service in SSS, he has also helped keep his team motivated.

All these outstanding men and women came to the SSS, distinguished themselves for their exceptional work in public service, and emerged as models for emulation and sources of inspiration for all.