SSS allows video calls for pensioners’ appearance requirement

In an interview during the Laging Handa public briefing aired over PTV-4 Tuesday, SSS president and chief executive officer (CEO) Aurora Ignacio said pensioners or their beneficiaries are still not required to physically present themselves at SSS branches for this requirement. (File photo: @flysi3000/Unsplash)

MANILA – The Social Security System (SSS) has established a facility that will cater to calls and video calls of pensioners to comply with the annual confirmation of pensioners program (ACOP) requirement.

In an interview during the Laging Handa public briefing aired over PTV-4 Tuesday, SSS president and chief executive officer (CEO) Aurora Ignacio said pensioners or their beneficiaries are still not required to physically present themselves at SSS branches for this requirement.

“Opo. Ina-allow ho namin siya. Naging maluwag ho kami para dito dahil alam namin na hindi sila makakapunta. So very considerate naman ang SSS doon sa ganoong posisyon. (Yes. We allow that [call and video conferencing]. We became lenient on this because we know that they cannot go to our branches. We are very considerate in that situation),” she said.

The SSS suspended the ACOP after the government placed Luzon under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from mid-March to end-April 2020.

The ECQ status was extended until end-May 2020 for Metro Manila.

Ignacio earlier said pensioners or their beneficiaries will continue to receive the pensions without the personal appearance compliance.

During the ECQ, only workers in essential industries like the medical field and select food-related sectors are authorized to go out of their residences.

This is part of the government’s measures to address the rise of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections.

SSS pensioners are given 60 days to comply with the ACOP requirements once all quarantine levels have been suspended.