SSS urges FB followers to utilize online portals and facilities

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Social Security System (SSS) encourages its more than five million Facebook (FB) followers to actively utilize its portals and various online facilities including its social media platforms for easier access to SSS information, services, and transactions.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Ignacio said that the SSS made available its My.SSS Portal on its website www.sss.gov.ph for members to have exclusive access to their contributions and membership records, facilitate online transactions, set appointments with their servicing branch, and request for copies of their records, among others.


Over the last few years, the My.SSS Portal has undergone enhancements and now includes online applications for loans, benefits, requests for member data change (simple corrections),Payment Reference Number (PRN) generation, and enrollment of disbursement accounts.


“The majority of our FB followers interact with us by writing queries and making follow-ups in the comments section of our official FB posts and the SSS Social Media Services Section is in charge of responding to these concerns. As we encourage active social media engagement, we also invite them to maximize the usage of the My.SSS Portal since benefit claims and loan status are readily available in their respective accounts. Likewise, they may also reach us through the FB Messenger where a Chatbot can respond to their basic and frequently asked questions," Ignacio said.


Members and employers may also use the SSS Mobile App, with similar features and may be downloaded via Google Play Store, Apple App Store, or Huawei AppGallery for free. They may also avail of the Text-SSS facility via 2600 with a service fee of P2.50 per transaction for Globe, Smart, and Sun Cellular subscribers.


Aside from the My.SSS Portal, the SSS also launched in November 2020, the ExpreSSS e-Learning (ExSSSeL) Portal which allows participants to learn the different SSS policies, programs, and updates at the comfort and safety of their homes. The ExSSSeL Portal is a free online computer-based training wherein participants may choose among the modules, study at their own pace and time, take the post examination to assess the learnings gained, and receive an e-certificate upon obtaining a passing rate of at least 80% in the post examination. Members and other individuals can visit said Portal via http://bit.ly/ExSSSeL_Portal. After selecting a module, they will receive an online registration form via Google Form for them to fill out. Multiple modules can also be accessed simultaneously.


SSS has also launched the uSSSap Tayo Portal via www.crms.sss.gov.ph last September 2021 providing users with easier, simpler, and faster access to SSS information, and an avenue for sending their concerns on how to avail of SSS programs, services, and status verifications of their follow-ups and complaints.


Moreover, the uSSSap Tayo Portal utilizes a ticket support system that provides a complete archive of users’ requests which helps them track the status of their tickets in the dashboard of their accounts.

For further information about SSS’ various online services, members and employers may also access https://bit.ly/expreSSS, follow “Philippine Social Security System – SSS” on Facebook, “mysssph” on Instagram or YouTube, “PHLSSS” on Twitter, or join SSS’ Viber Community at “MYSSSPH Updates.”

Get ready for the great return, office landlords urged

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Colliers lists recommendations in order to prepare office properties for returning workers post-pandemic

 

While the Omicron variant of Covid-19 has thrown us another curve ball and delayed the long-awaited back-to-office plans of many companies, this does not mean that office landlords will not find opportunities during this temporary downtime, said leading diversified professional services and investment management firm Colliers (NASDAQ and TSX: CIGI).

According to Maricris Sarino-Joson, Director of Office Services – Landlord Representation at Colliers: “We have seen disruption in the office leasing market due to the Omicron variant of Covid-19, but we believe that office landlords should always be on the lookout for opportunities now and beyond 2022.”

“The Omicron variant should not hinder the property market’s recovery and the much-anticipated rebound of the Philippines’ office market. While the country battles a Covid-19 surge and new restrictions are imposed, landlords must now take action to prepare their properties for the eventual and inevitable return to work.”

Most crucial among the recommendations that Colliers has put together is the introduction of technology to minimize the spread of viruses and other disease-causing microorganisms in the workplace.

“There are many ways office landlords can retrofit their properties to make them safer for users and occupants, one of which is introducing touchless access in ingress/egress points, restrooms, elevators, and common areas,” said Sarino-Joson. “This strategy, which include hands-free door unlock mechanisms, virtual guest passes, and automatic door openers, helps safeguard against the spread of Covid-19 and other viruses on surfaces.”

Other technological innovations that landlords can implement according to Colliers include disinfection and sanitation equipment at the entry to the property; improving air quality by upgrading air-conditioning systems and introducing filtered fresh air into the building; treating surfaces with antiviral coating to prevent transmission from high touch surfaces; and the use of negative air ionization systems to suppress airborne viruses and microbes.

Landlords should also consider assisting occupiers to implement adjustments on design and fit-outs to accommodate new social distancing norms and health features. “This may mean coming up with recommended designs which promote health and wellness of office workers and offering flexible fit-out periods for occupiers to implement these much-needed changes,” said Sarino-Joson.

Some landlords may also consider converting spaces within their buildings into fully fitted swing spaces (or temporary office spaces). “Existing tenants can use these spaces while they wait for their permanent office to be built or renovated.”

Another way for landlords to improve the marketability of their vacant spaces is to stage them properly, said Sarino-Joson. “Just as homebuyers will not be able to imagine themselves in an empty house, when you show an empty office, occupiers will not appreciate its best features. Providing them with a photo of a well-designed office will give them the chance to love the place and see their business set up in this nice working environment.”

Lastly, given the current market situation, landlords may consider short-term leases to at least cover the cost of running and maintaining the property. According to Sarino-Joson, accepting short-term leases may also open doors to new and previously untapped clients, such as start-ups. But should landlords be able to find occupiers willing to sign long-term leases, consider sweetening deals by providing better commercial terms and offering concessions, such as flexible lease terms, partial termination options, and delayed escalation, among others. “Show the prospective tenant that longer commitment in the property can mean bigger cost savings in the long term.”

Although the current situation we find ourselves in may not be the most ideal, there are still plenty of opportunities out there. Colliers encourages landlords to be proactive in offering add-ons to their commercial terms in order to make them more attractive to prospective tenants. We also urge them to work amicably with occupiers as we all survive and thrive during this pandemic.

9 Reasons to Rent an SUV for Your Road Trip

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A road trip is a perfect way to spend a weekend or vacation. It would be a great idea to explore the hot Death Valley, picturesque Yosemite National Park, or ride the amazing serpentines of the Rocky Mountains. All you need to do is rent a car.

Unfortunately, a compact or full-size car or minivan may not be enough for you, since difficult road conditions require special technical characteristics of the car. In such a situation, the best solution is to rent an SUV.

SUVs and crossovers began to dominate the global car rental market. Over the years, they have confidently gained popularity, and now they make up about 25% of all offers. So, the high demand for SUVs means this is a really great choice.

Looking to rent an SUV for your next trip? Here you will find a large selection of small, medium, and full-size models for any taste. A vehicle like this guarantees a great travel experience wherever you go. However, if you're still in doubt, here’re some strong reasons to pick up a rental SUV.

Stylish Exterior




What motivates us to look excellent and beautiful enough in the eyes of the people around us? Of course, this is vanity. And there’s nothing wrong with that. The same goes for a car because you always want to drive one that looks beautiful.

Surely you don’t like some cars because of their unattractive appearance. At the same time, SUVs look pretty because of their aggressive styling. It's all about their brutal exterior. This is exactly what is often lacking in modern sedans and hatchbacks.

So, we have the first reason why SUVs are becoming so much more popular than all other cars around the world.



Better Visibility




Thanks to their larger dimensions and bigger wheels, SUVs offer a higher driving position along with a more spacious interior. As a result, the driver and passengers can enjoy excellent visibility. The SUV driver sees much more space in front of him. Plus, these cars have fewer so-called blind spots, which has a positive effect on safety in general.

Of course, there are some exceptions, but still, the visibility of most SUVs is much higher and better than those in conventional cars.



Excellent passenger capacity




Usually, a small or medium SUV can accommodate up to 5 people. However, today you will also find many full-size models with three rows of seats, which can accommodate 6, 7, and even 8 passengers. Moreover, the third row of seats is often suitable not only for children but also for adults.

If you have a large family and you often rent a car for road trips, then a 7-seater SUV will certainly be an excellent choice. As spacious as a minivan, it gives you all the benefits of an SUV.



Large trunk




In addition to excellent passenger capacity, SUVs also have a large trunk. This is one of the reasons why today travelers are increasingly choosing SUV vehicles.

Yes, almost all of us want to drive a spacious car with a large trunk. After all, you need to fit a lot of bags, personal belongings, and equipment in the car.



High ground clearance




Almost all SUVs have high ground clearance - this is their main difference from conventional hatchbacks and sedans. Also, this is another significant advantage of this vehicle group. High ground clearance and four-wheel drive allow travelers to drive their SUVs not only on the highway but on a country road too. Also, the high ground clearance gives a huge advantage in winter, when the road can be covered with a large layer of snow.



Easy camper towing




Do you like camping and everything related to it? If so then the SUV is the most suitable car for you. First, you will fit all your gear in the trunk. And secondly, the SUV has a powerful engine and four-wheel drive, which allows it to easily tow a small or mid-size camper. You can also tow a trailer with a boat or buggy, and be sure that the SUV won’t let you down in any off-road situation.



Better handling in all weather conditions




Not many popular sedan cars have an all-wheel-drive option. However, with SUVs the opposite is true. Almost every model has a four wheel drive and improved suspension performance. High ground clearance and four-wheel drive give the driver more confidence on the road in all weather conditions.

Imagine driving in heavy rain. On an SUV or crossover, you will be much calmer than on a sedan or hatchback. The same goes for snowy weather. True, if ice covers the road, then the advantage of SUVs over other cars won’t be so big.



Excellent fuel efficiency




Believe it or not, many SUVs are very fuel-efficient, and even more efficient than some of the popular compact cars. As a rule, such SUVs have small turbocharged power units, which allow you to count on low fuel costs.

Also, despite their body size, many SUVs have a much lower air drag coefficient than some passenger cars. Plus, many SUVs now have a hybrid engine, which makes them even more fuel-efficient.



Great safety in case of an accident




According to Isaac Newton, force equals mass times acceleration. So, SUVs have great force due to their greater mass, which means they are much safer when they get into an accident.

As evidence, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has repeatedly noted that new modern sedans or hatchbacks are not as good at safety as larger SUVs and crossovers.

In summary, an SUV is a car that has all the characteristics of a sedan and a hatchback, but at the same time offers unique advantages. This makes it a great choice for your road trip wherever you go.