SSS office open on weekend for flood victims

The state-run Social Security System (SSS) said in a statement Friday that it has extended its office hours through the weekend to allow members affected by tropical storm Ondoy and Typhoon Pepeng to claim their salary loan checks at the SSS main office in Quezon City. Joel Palacios, spokesman for SSS, said that the main office would be open today and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. so that members with approved loan applications could claim their checks.

“So far, SSS has approved nearly P700 million in loan applications of more than 38,000 members. We will remain open to serve them this weekend,” he added.

Members flocked to the SSS this week after the agency announced early renewal of salary loans to help distressed members. A total of 38,467 checks amounting to P678.34 million have been approved for release.

The Philippine National Bank (PNB) had agreed to open its branch at the ground floor of the main office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

“PNB extended its banking hours on October 17 to allow members to immediately encash their checks at the SSS main office,” Palacios said.

He added that unclaimed checks would be sent through registered mail after three days, and the first batch of these checks would be sent out on October 19.

Salary loans

Earlier this week, SSS approved for release a total of P490.58 million for salary loans of members.

Palacios said that a total of 27,217 checks with an average amount of P18,000 would be released directly to claimants.

“We encourage members who applied for loan renewal to call or visit us at the nearest SSS branch to find out if they are among those whose applications were approved,” he added. “We expect thousands more would be approved in the coming days.”

The agency set up a Special Assistance Center at the lobby of the SSS main office to help claimants.

Palacios said that registered users can also check the availability of their checks through the SSS website at www.sss.gov.ph.

“SLERP checks that are unclaimed after three days would be sent through registered mail,” he added.
“Assistant Postmaster General Louie Carlos has expressed full support for the SLERP program.”

The state-run pension fund stepped up processing of salary loans to keep up with increasing number of applications, most of which were from members in Metro Manila and Rizal province. SSS grants up to P24,000 salary loans payable in two years.

Members could verify availability of their checks through SSS hotlines 917-7777, 920-6401 and 920-6446 to 55, at any SSS office or via the SSS website at www.sss.gov.ph. –Lailany P. Gomez, Reporter, Manila Times