SSS starts producing new IDs

The Social Security System (SSS) has started to produce new identification (ID) cards that members can use to process transactions with the state pension fund for the private sector and other partner government offices, the SSS chief said Monday. The SSS will start issuing the new IDs to its members under the Unified Multipurpose Identification System (UMID) before the end of the month, SSS president and CEO Emilio de Quiros said in a media briefing. De Quiros said the card will be different from a “mandatory" national ID as the SSS will keep the data submitted to the system “well-protected." “This is not for police work," De Quiros explained.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Meanwhile, members can use the same SSS card to transact with government agencies that have joined the UMID system, including the Government Service Insurance System, the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. or PhilHealth. “We’ve invited other agencies to join the UMID system," said De Quiros, citing the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Commission on Elections. If some banks express willingness to tie up with government agencies, the cards may also be used as automated teller machine or ATM cards in partner banks or government financial institutions, De Quiros said. ‘Waiting’ members to be prioritized Referring to the halt in the production of SSS cards in April 2010, De Quiros added, “Members who have been waiting for their IDs after SSS card production stopped in April would be the first to get their UMID cards." The SSS card facility broke down in 2010 after over 10 years in operation. Since production began in 1998, the agency had so far issued 11 million cards. Starting with 5,000 cards a day, card production will soon improve to a maximum capacity of 20,000 cards to eliminate the SSS backlog of about 600,000 cards. “We expect to eliminate this in two months," De Quiros said. Members with old IDs may still use their cards in SSS transactions, but those who want to replace their lost IDs may do so at a P300-replacement fee, the SSS noted. — With Paterno Esmaquel/VS, GMA News