SSS has new guidelines regarding IDs

MANILA, Philippines - The Social Security System (SSS) has announced new guidelines on the use of its identification card in claiming benefits and other privileges, a top official said Tuesday. In a statement, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Corazon de la Paz- Bernardo said members could present two valid identification cards if they have not yet obtained the SSS Biometric ID, the production of which was suspended because of system repairs. "Members could also show just one valid ID and their SSS Form E-6 acknowledgment stub, which certifies their application for an SSS Biometric ID," she said. SSS modified its identification requirements after its ID production hit a snag last August. One of the most important features of the SSS Biometric ID is the member's fingerprint captured in the card. The SSS has released more than 10 million Biometric IDs, which include replacement cards for members who had changed their names or lost their SSS IDs. Over 9 million members had been issued the Biometric card since 1998. De la Paz-Bernardo said the SSS has been finalizing a contract with a technology provider which can address the problem in its fingerprint matching software and data capture machines in SSS branches. "We expect to resume normal ID system operations next month, April. We can eliminate the production backlog by the end of June," she said. - GMANews.TV