SSS opens first ‘digital’ branch in San Pedro City, to open more in NCR

The SSS main office in Quezon City (File photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The Social Security System (SSS) has piloted its first-of-its-kind “digital” branch in San Pedro City, Laguna province, in line with the state-run pension fund’s digital transformation push.

In a statement on Wednesday (March 2), the SSS said its recently opened digital branch at Robinsons Galleria South Mall will “offer multi-channel service delivery platforms to members, employers, pensioners, and the general public” in the city’s 27 barangays.

“The pilot branch will help members and pensioners get acquainted with the various SSS digital platforms,” SSS president and chief executive Aurora Cruz-Ignacio said.

“As we continue our digital transformation, the SSS is aware of the current situation where some members and pensioners need assistance in using our My.SSS portal and SSS mobile app,” she said.

“Hence, we created a digital branch to encourage members to enroll in My.SSS portal. Branch personnel can personally guide them in exploring the electronic services available and proceed with online transactions,” the SSS chief said.

“Members and pensioners will later be comfortable in using our online services so that they can finally transact on their own at the comfort of their homes and workplaces. We will continue to convert regular branches to digital in the National Capital Region (NCR) and selected provinces nationwide,” she added.

The SSS’s pilot digital branch has three sections: an e-center, mobile app learning center, as well as customer care center. It will be open on weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Members and pensioners need to follow a number coding system which assigns a transaction day based on the last digit of their social security (SS) number.

For walk-in clients, the SSS said they should follow basic health and safety protocols to be allowed entry.

The SSS last year ramped up its digital shift to not only improve its front-line services to members and pensioners but also to strengthen defenses against cyberattacks.

The SSS already mandated online filing of claims, notifications, and reimbursements for various member, employer, and pensioner benefits, like funeral, maternity, retirement, sickness, and unemployment. Also, calamity and salary loans can now be filed with the SSS online.

The SSS was also part of the government’s insurance cluster that banded late last year to establish a shared cyberdefense solution, is currently being procured for a two-year contract.

TSB