Newly-opened SSS branch to cater to 50,000 Dabawenyo members

DAVAO CITY, Feb. 25 (PIA) – The Social Security System (SSS) has recently opened a new branch placed at the heart of Davao’s downtown area to cater to about 50,000 members who will now have easier access of SSS services.

The newly-opened SSS Ilustre branch located at Gaisano Grand Mall at Ilustre St. offers full-service covering issuance of SSS number, acceptance and processing of applications on benefit claims such as sickness, maternity, disability, funeral and death applications.

The office, which is open at 10:00am to 7:00pm on Mondays to Fridays, also features the Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) Data capture section and will be headed by Officer-in-Charge Mary Ellen A. Estoque.

The branch intends to particularly service about 3,180 employers, 20,000 employees and around 30,000 self-employed members within the area of Jacinto St. to Bankerohan bridge covering 23 barangays.

Marissu G. Bugante, vice-president for SSS Public Affairs and Special Events Division, said the opening of the new branch in Davao is keeping pace with the city’s robust growth through multinational investments which provide employment to many Davaoeños.

SSS Davao information officer Mario Daray said that as of January 2015, there are a total of 760,229 SSS members in Davao City which consist of 574,759 employees, 182,994 self-employed, and 2,476 voluntary paying members.

Bugante said SSS has opened 25 branches nationwide last year, aiming to ease congestion and to bring SSS services closer and more accessible to the 32 million members including the self-employed, voluntary paying members and members from the informal sector such as tricycle drivers and market vendors.

She added that additional branches with five new branches and five service offices will be opened within this year.

Louie Sebastian, head of SSS Media Affairs Department, bared that another branch for Davao City will be put up soon in Toril area.

She said that as of end of last year, SSS has a total of 262 offices nationwide, 43 of which are found in Mindanao, 41 in Visayas, 118 in Luzon, and 60 in the National Capital Region. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)