SSS to issue certifications for Taiwan-bound OFWs

The SSS Building in Quezon City. (Wikipedia photo)

MANILA — The Social Security System (SSS) will issue certifications of application for the Unified Multipurpose (UMID) card of members seeking employment in Taiwan.

The certifications will be issued to help job seekers comply with the requirements for a Taiwanese working visa, pending the release of their UMID cards.

SSS Manager for ID Card Production Jose Antonio Salazar said the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office or TECO in Manila has agreed to accept SSS certifications in consideration of the status of SSS UMID card production.

The SSS is currently experiencing delay in UMID card production as card printing is temporarily suspended due to the ongoing acquisition for UMID card printing services.

“To address the urgency of their applications for an ID, we will issue the certification after two working days from receipt of request,” Salazar said.

He clarified that only Taiwan-bound members who applied from December 10, 2014 or those with earlier applications that had passed fingerprint investigation will be issued with certifications.

“As additional consideration, we also allow the authorized representative or liaison officer of their recruitment agency to request the certifications on their behalf so they can spend the time they have to proceed with other several errands,” Salazar said.

Taiwan-bound members with pending UMID card applications can file their request at any SSS branch until May 15, 2015.

SSS certifications will be released at the SSS branch located in the Philippine Overseas and Employment Agency.

“We are also reminding our members that the lack of SSS ID does not affect their entitlement to loans and benefits,” Salazar said.

SSS regulations allow members to present any two valid government-issued ID cards to support their applications for SSS loans and benefits.