The Social Security System (SSS) must step up to serve its multitude of members and retirees applying for pandemic loans as well as retirement, death, maternity, and other benefits.

Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, author of House Resolution (HR) No. 1093, noted the long lines in SSS branches of people applying for loans and members’ benefits, and even those remitting their contributions.

“People need additional funds to tide them over the raging health crisis,” Rodriguez said, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said many SSS offices are unable to accommodate the long lines of loan applicants and other members transacting business with them due to lack of personnel and equipment.

Rodriguez cited as an example the two SSS branches in Cagayan de Oro located in Barangay Carmen and Barangay Lapasan. He said there are only four computers in each branch while there are only five job order employees in the main branch in Carmen and three in Lapasan to handle more than 200 applicants a day.

“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.

"There is a need for the SSS to provide additional funding for all their branches, including the two in Cagayan de Oro, 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.

He said SSS branches should also 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," Rodriguez said.