QUEZON CITY, Philippines – To keep its branch network in step with its increasing membership, the Social Security System (SSS) opened a total of 21 local offices in 2013, most of them stationed in areas with high foot traffic and easy accessibility such as shopping malls.
SSS branches that opened last year include SSS Congressional in Quezon City, SSS Guadalupe in Makati City, and SSS Panabo in Davao del Norte. Alongside its branch expansion was the launch of SSS Service Offices last year at the Muntinlupa City Hall and in 17 shopping malls nationwide.
This year, SSS plans to expand further its network by setting up 24 additional branches, including new ones in major cities and business districts with a high demand for SSS transactions such as Alabang, Eastwood, Marikina, Mandaluyong, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasig, Taguig, Sta. Rosa, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao and Cagayan de Oro.
“The SSS also aims to launch Service Offices in ten malls nationwide this year, and three of these – at Robinsons Place Malabon, Robinsons Place Malolos, and Robinsons Place Roxas-Capiz — already started operations within the first two months of 2014,” said Gloria Cuisia, Head of the SSS Branch Evaluation Services Department in a statement.
SSS Service Offices are built in partnership with mall operators or local government units, which usually offer the office space to SSS rent-free, as part of shared efforts to make transactions convenient and accessible for their customers and constituents who are also SSS members. The mall-based offices are open on Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., while those in goverment offices are open on Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The number of SSS members grew by more than 1.2 million last year for a four-percent jump from 29.46 million members in 2012 — bringing total membership past the 30-million mark — due to SSS’ widespread efforts to promote the value of social security protection and active SSS membership.
