Rodriguez wants more funds released to SSS branches for pandemic loans, benefits

Cagayan de Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez has filed a resolution urging the Social Security System (SSS) to release more funds to its branches amid the surge of clients applying for loans and benefits during the COVID-19 crisis.

"There is a need for the SSS to provide additional funding for all their branches... for the hiring of additional personnel, payment of overtime and night shift pay, and purchase of additional computers and tents to serve as waiting areas so as not to make people wait under the sun," Rodriguez said in House Resolution 1093.

In his resolution, Rodriguez noted the long lines in SSS branches of members and retirees applying for loans and benefits like retirement, death, maternity, or remitting premium contributions.

“People need additional funds to tide them over the raging health crisis,” he said.

But due to the lack of personnel and equipment, many SSS offices can no longer accommodate long lines of loan applicants and other members making transactions with them, resulting in delays in the processing and release of loans and other benefits, Rodriguez said.

He cited the two SSS branches in Cagayan De Oro City located at Barangay Carmen and Barangay Lapasan as examples.

"Due to quarantine restrictions in previous months, people are now flocking in droves to these two branches to have their loan and benefits applications processed, resulting in lack of physical distancing, violation of other health protocols and physical suffering”, he said.

Rodriguez pointed out that in these two branches, there are only four computers being used to accommodate the transactions of SSS clients.

He added that there are only five job order employees at the main branch at Barangay Carmen and three at Barangay Lapasan handling more than 200 applicants a day.

“In Cagayan De Oro City, the applicants line up as early as 5 a.m. to get ahead of the long lines everyday. Many have to stand in the heat of the sun," he said.

"The branches have to extend services up to 7 p.m. to accommodate those who have been in the line for hours," he added

In line with this, Rodriguez also asked that SSS branches be directed to extend their office hours up to 8 p.m. and to open on Saturdays.

“This is the least SSS should do. The members are already adversely affected  by the pandemic and they still have to physically suffer while applying for loans and benefits at the SSS branches," he said. -MDM, GMA News