By Rene V. Carbayas
ISABELA CITY, Basilan – Better
services are expected from the Social Security System (SSS) as it inaugurated
its new office here recently..
The new office is more spacious, comfortable
and cozy compared to its previous location in downtown Isabela City. It also
acquired new generator set for its air conditioning system to fully function
even during brownouts.
The new SSS office in Basilan is located at
the ground floor of NFK building in Sunrise, Isabela City. Branch Manager Ma.
Salvacion F. Alam has invited Basileños to visit their new office to avail of
the improved programs and services of the SSS.
SSS Western Mindanao Division Assistant Vice
President Atty. Rodrigo B. Filoteo, together with all other branch managers in
Zamboanga Peninsula graced the occasion. The other SSS Branch Heads present
were: James B. Buckly (Pagadian), Jaime S. Casumpang (Dipolog), and Rudy M.
Lacandalo (Ipil).
Rev. Fr. Franklin Floyd Costan officiated the
blessing & inauguration of SSS Basilan new office which would provide
better service to its clients.
Speaking on behalf of Isabela City Mayor
Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar, Councilor Abner Rodriguez cited the efforts and
commitment of SSS in dealing with the needs of every SSS member by making
transactions easier & convenient, that afforded more people access to
social security. He hopes that SSS can reach more vulnerable sectors.
Lamitan City administrator Danilo Alvaro also
lauded the efforts of SSS for reaching
out to Lamitan City employees under job order and contractual services who are
not members of GSIS to avail of SSS
services that would provide social security to employees.
At the inauguration last September 29, Philippine
National Bank (PNB) Manager Ma. Rica M. Delos Reyes bared that the bank has
opened salary loan program to SSS pensioners 69 yrs old below starting June
this year with an interest rate of only about 1.25% for 10 months.
In an interview, Atty. Filoteo urged
employers in Basilan to enroll their employees and to pay the right amount of
contribution based on their salary regularly..
“The rate of penalty [on delinquent
employers] imposed is quite high this time under Republic Act 8787 of 1997,”
Atty. Filoteo said.
He also asked those currently working as
self-employed to visit SSS and enroll themselves as member and be an active
member so that in cases of contingencies, one can avail of all the benefits
that the system is providing.