SSS branches at 100% capacity to address influx of members, claimants

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Social Security System (SSS) said all its 281 branches nationwide under Alert Level 1 will be in 100% operations to address the expected influx of transacting members, particularly in certain SSS branches in the National Capital Region (NCR).

SS said all transacting members were accommodated by the branches, particularly those some 100 members who were reported to have camped outside the SSS Diliman Branch along East Avenue in Quezon City.   SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora Ignacio said the state fund agency will continue to monitor the number of members personally transacting in SSS branches. “We will evaluate the situation to determine if there is a need to further extend service hours and hold special operations on Saturdays,” she added.   “With the reduction in Covid-19 alert levels, we are now in 100% operational capacity since all our employees are tasked to their offices,” Ignacio explained.   As this developed, SSS emphasizes its call for members, claimants, and the transacting public to use the agency’s online facilities such as My.SSS and SSS Mobile App for their various transactions with the state pension fund.   “We continue to recognize the health, safety and security concerns of our members even if the Covid-19 alert levels have been reduced. We urge them to make full use of the agency’s online facilities, especially the My.SSS portal. There are more than 30 member services available on My.SSS. They can even access some of these services on the SSS Mobile App,” Ignacio said. The SSS president explained that there is priority given to online branch appointment holders. Members may use the appointment system in My.SSS to indicate the preferred date and time that they want to be accommodated in their chosen SSS branch.The branches have been tasked to set up special lanes for those holding online appointments.   SSS has been accepting online submissions for several transactions through My.SSS since 2011. My.SSS is the pension fund’s online service portal which can be found on the SSS website (www.sss.gov.ph).   The “File Anywhere” policy of the state pension fund remains in effect. This allows SSS members to transact at the nearest branch of their choice. Currently, there are 58 branches in NCR, about 135 branches in Luzon, 44 branches in Visayas, and 44 branches in Mindanao.   SSS also explained that the agency has digitalized all processing of claim and loan applications in all its 281 branches nationwide, not just in the SSS Diliman branch.   Ignacio, however, pointed out that processing of SSS transactions is based on the documents submitted by transacting members.   “I urge the members to make sure to present all required documents to speed up the processing time. The full list of requirements for SSS transactions may be found in www.sss.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/SSSPh.   “We want to assure our members that we are continuously finding ways to improve our processes to better serve our members,” Ignacio concluded.

PLDT Enterprise honored with Geographical Region Award as Managed Services Partner of the Year at Cisco Partner Summit 2021

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

PLDT Enterprise today announced that it is the recipient of a Cisco Partner Summit Geographical Region award for Managed Services Partner of the Year. Cisco announced the winners during its annual partner conference held digitally. 

Awarded to partners who rise to business challenges, the Cisco Partner Summit Global awards are designed to recognize superior business practices and reward best-in-class methodologies. Areas of consideration include innovative processes, architecture-led successes, strategic business outcome-focused programs, seizing new opportunities, and sales approaches.

“Cisco is proud to work together with leading partners to drive the digital transformation, creating powerful solutions and fresh approaches to meet the needs of our customers,” said Vicki Batka, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Japan and China, Partner Organization at Cisco. “It’s a privilege to recognize PLDT Enterprise with a Cisco Partner Summit Geo-Region award as the Managed Services Partner of the Year winner, further underscoring its outstanding accomplishments in the Asia Pacific, Japan and China region.”

Virtually present in the Cisco APJC award celebration were Jojo Gendrano, FVP & Head of PLDT and Smart Enterprise and Fay Ocampo, AVP and Head of Enterprise Strategic Partnerships and Alliances to represent the group and receive the award.

"It is our aspiration at PLDT Enterprise to become a trusted technology partner who can deliver real business valueand make a positive impact on our customers. Our strategic partnership with Cisco has enabled a multitude of enterprise customers in the country to transform digitally in the light of global pandemic. We are proud and glad of this award which is a strong testament of that aspiration," said Jojo Gendrano, FVP & Head of PLDT and Smart Enterprise.

Cisco Partner Summit Geographical Regional awards reflect the top-performing partners within specific technology markets across the geographical region. All award recipients are selected by a group of Cisco Global Partner Organization and regional executives.

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in technology that powers the Internet. Cisco inspires new possibilities by reimagining your applications, securing your enterprise, transforming your infrastructure, and empowering your teams for a global and inclusive future. 

For more information, visit pldtenterprise.com.

Maritime projects, initiatives support sea travel full passenger capacity under Alert Level 1

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With completed projects and ongoing initiatives in the maritime sector, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is ready to support and address the 100% passenger capacity for sea travel as parts of the country are placed under Alert Level 1 effective on 01 March 2022, Transportation Secretary Art Tugade said.
According to Secretary Tugade, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has completed port development projects nationwide, while the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are continuing with initiatives to boost maritime operations.

“Mr. President, converting from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1, masasabi ko ‘ho sa mga nagawa na at gagawin pa namin handa na ‘ho ang Department of Transportation. We support the move to lower the alert level following the guidance and mandates of the IATF,” Secretary Tugade said during President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Talk to the People on Monday.

Secretary Tugade said 13 completed port projects are ready for inauguration under Alert Level 1 to accommodate seaport passengers.

Some of the ports ready for inauguration are the Ports of Currimao in Ilocos Norte; Bulan in Sorsogon; Legazpi and Tabaco in Albay; Basiao in Capiz; Banago in Negros Occidental; Baybay and Palompon in Leyte; Ozamiz in Misamis Occidental; Sultan Naga Dimaporo in Lanao del Norte; Mati in Davao Oriential; and Dapitan and Sindangan in Zamboanga del Norte.

He added that two more priority projects are for completion this March: The Port of Batangas' new Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) will accommodate 3,616 passengers, while the Calapan Port's new PTB will have a 3,500-passenger capacity.

“Ang mga terminal na itinatayo natin, ang capacity hindi na sa one hundred one hundred, thousand thousand na. Merong 3,000, merong 4,000,” Secretary Tugade said.

Aside from addressing the increase in capacity, Secretary Tugade said the PPA and MARINA are also solving port operations concerns for a seamless movement of passengers and cargo, including those in the Port of Matnog.

“Ang queueing diyan ng mga buses, nagtatagal ‘ho iyan from 16 hours to two days, ngayon po because of the system that we have organized in the Maritime Sector kasama ang PPA, PCG, MARINA, LGU, DILG, ngayon ‘ho iyong queueing time is three to five hours na lang,” Secretary Tugade explained.

To further manage the port arrival of vessels, the MARINA will be issuing around 20 additional travel permits for roll-on/roll-off vessels to cater to the growing number of sea passengers under thr more relaxed Alert Level 1.

Meanwhile, Secretary Tugade said the arrival of first of two 97-meter long Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs) from Japan will also bolster maritime patrols in the country’s borders.

According to Secretary Tugade, as an additional maritime asset, the PCG-acquired BRP Teresa Magbanua can conduct patrols for three weeks in the West Philippine Sea, in the Benham Rise, and in the southern part of Mindanao. The second PCG MRRV is set to arrive in May 2022.

The PCG workforce likewise saw a significant increase with the addition of at least 22,000 Coast Guard personnel and an additional 33,000 Auxiliary members, Secretary Tugade reported.

Part of PCG and PCGA's personnel will be realigned for the heightened visibility and patrolling at various transport hubs nationwide, Secretary Tugade said.