Redundant, onerous SSS requirements

The Social Security System requires all retirees to submit yearly the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (Acop) form, together with required documents. The requirements listed in the Acop are:

1. Accomplished and signed Acop form;

2. Photocopy of SSS card or two valid IDs both with signature and at least one with photo;

3. Sketch of residence;

4. Certification of existence from the barangay chair;

5. Medical certificate done within three months prior to the last day of compliance and certified by a physician indicating his license number and clinic address.

I believe, like thousands of other SSS retirees do, that some of the above requirements are burdensome and are a duplication.

I believe requirements 1, 2, and 4 are sufficient. The certification of existence by the barangay chair (4) cancels out requirement 3 (sketch of residence).

Requirement 5, the medical certification, is something that the retiree will have to spend for to secure, if the retiree does not have a family doctor.

I have written via registered mail the chair of the Senate committee on social services, and SSS president and CEO Emilio de Quiros about these burdensome requirements. Unfortunately both have not replied. This bad habit of government officials of not answering letters from the public is indeed obnoxious, more so because there is an existing law requiring them to answer within 15 days from receipt thereof.

Lastly, even the asking for an Acop form is a torture when the retiree requesting it is being handled by a rude and ill-mannered SSS employee.

—BERNARDO V. PERALTA, CPA,

retired accounting professor and senior citizen, Cebu City