Archive for January, 2009

Honesty and How to Show It

Posted in Rants with tags on January 29, 2009 by mitch

I was asked once by an interviewer:

How do I show honesty in the work place?

If someone is truly being honest, there should be no conscious effort at showing it because it would be evident. This is what I believe and it is much more troublesome to hide the truth that to show it.

Not the best answer but it worked at the time. (She was nodding her head).

SSS ID Application Horror Story

Posted in SSS with tags on January 23, 2009 by mitch

I received this comment from my  SSS ID Application Walkthrough post and I want to highlight this story because so far, this is the worst experience anyone can have for just applying for the infamous SSS ID as commented on the post.

This is a true to life, actual experience by Shaley.

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Wow. You made it sound so easy to apply for the SSS ID card. Although the step by step process is correct, the actual is not even close.

I had been an active contributing member of SSS since 2002. The online information is really helpful, but when you go to the branch, it is a complete opposite – some of the staff seem to be easily irritated when asked for information.

Last 2004, I decided to apply for an ID card in Lapu-lapu Branch. I had actually completed the process and kept my claim slip for more than 6 months. I didn’t ask why it takes 6 months to get your ID; I assumed that they never ran out of members who process the ID card everyday of the week.

After 7 months, I came back to claim the ID card. Lapu-lapu Branch Information booth is manned by security guards. When I showed my claim slip dated May 2004, he checked his notebook for names, then he instructed me to go back next month. He said, most of the time it takes more than 6 to 7 months for IDs to be available.

I returned on March 2005 to check again if my ID card is available. The guard on the information booth told me I should file a complaint. I filled up the form and submitted to the information desk. Of course, I didn’t expect for any answers considering they don’t have any customer service to handle that.

A few days ago, after checking the internet again and registered to a new user friendly SSS website, I decided to process my ID card. I was informed by my colleague that Lapu-lapu Branch does not accept processing for ID Cards as of the moment because their machine is not functioning. She told me she was instructed to go to the Cebu City Branch.

Last Thursday, January 22, I went to the Cebu City Branch and arrived there at 9 am. After going thru a long line, the lady in the information desk just handed us a blank application form and instructed us to come back tomorrow. There had been no further explanation after she pointed to me the advisory on the table that there is no priority numbers for processing IDs.

I arrived at 8:30am on Friday, January 23. I thought I was lucky because the line was shorter. When it was my turn, I handed the completed form with a smile, but his face went from pleasant to funny. He told me the ID processing is over and he summoned the next person in line. Surprised with the information, I asked what time do they start the processing. He explained that they only accept 160 members for processing and there is no priority number, you just have to fall in line. He said they start at 7am.

Considering that I have to take a leave from work and wake up earliest in the morning just to travel from one City to another, the SSS staff’s simple explanation feels ridiculous to me. I had to walk out of there to calm me down before I yell to his face that I had to take a day off from my very busy work just to be rejected on 2 consecutive days because I didn’t know their schedules and rules.

SHOULDN’T HAVE THEY POSTED THAT ON THEIR BULLETIN BOARD THAT THEY WILL ONLY ACCEPT 160 MEMBERS IN THE MORNING STARTING AT 7AM?

WHY WOULD THEY ACCEPT ONLY 160 MEMBERS A DAY?

ARE THEY NOT CAPABLE OF ENTERTAINING MORE THAN THAT NUMBER?

If anyone reading this, I hope you have a good explanation so I may understand.

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PLEASE LANG PILIPINAS, kahit itong SSS ID lang. Is this too much to ask????

Pano natin to ireport? If anyone can suggest how to call the attention of the right people, I will be willing to take action. Tulong-tulong tayo please. If you know anyone who knows someone with the right connections, please give me his number. I will do it. Any suggestion is appreciated. Thank you.

Also, I would encourage everyone to send in their complaints against SSS. The more horror, the better and I will post them. If we’ve collected a substantial number of complaints and issues, perhaps someone would notice.

My email is mitchwah at gmail.com.

2009 na. It’s time for CHANGE! :)