QUEZON CITY – In response to the 8 September 2025 directive issued by Department of Finance Secretary and Social Security Commission ex-officio Chair Ralph G. Recto to roll out faster services to pensioners and members, the Social Security System (SSS) has officially launched the MySSS Card – designed to transform the way Filipino workers, pensioners, and their beneficiaries access their social security benefits and financial services.
SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph Montes De Claro stated that the MySSS Card fulfills two purposes. It acts as an official ID, replacing the long-standing Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) card. It also operates as a fully functional debit card linked to a savings account.
De Claro noted that the card is equipped with an EMV chip. It is integrated with the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) eVerify and biometric authentication. This provides a safe and convenient way for members to access SSS benefits and loans, as well as manage their daily financial transactions.
It merges social security benefits with digital banking, offering members a comprehensive way to access benefits, loans, and pensions quickly and conveniently. The card can also be used for shopping, public transport fares, and online purchases, De Claro explained.
The card will be issued exclusively through SSS partner banks. Issuance will start with Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) and will later include other banks such as Asia United Bank (AUB), China Bank, and Union Bank of the Philippines.
De Claro said the MySSS Card will automatically serve as the main disbursement account for SSS members. “Once members apply for the MySSS Card, we will link their partner bank savings accounts to SSS for benefits, loans, and other proceeds. They no longer need to enroll the MySSS Card in the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module (DAEM).”
He stated that starting today, 1 October 2025, SSS will accept applications for the MySSS Card. RCBC, through its digital arm DiskarTech, will be the card’s first implementer.
“The SSS and RCBC partnership marks a significant milestone in the digital transformation of government services,” he continued. “The MySSS Card’s rollout will expand as more partner banks join the program. This will provide more options for card issuance and banking features.”
How to Apply for the MySSS Card
The MySSS Card is available to all SSS members, pensioners, individual claimants, beneficiaries, and representative payees who meet the following requirements: possess a permanent SS number; have an active account on the My.SSS Portal with updated personal details, including local address, mobile number, and email; and be registered with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) under the National ID system, previously known as the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).
Members with old SSS, UMID, or previous ID cards may apply for the MySSS Card to replace lost or existing cards.
De Claro said the MySSS Card application is simple and can be completed via My.SSS. “Members choose their partner bank—initially RCBC—and consent to data sharing between SSS, the National ID system, and the bank.”
After online verification and identity confirmation, members open a bank account either using their online app or by visiting a branch. For RCBC, members use the DiskarTech app to open the account.
The partner bank will produce and distribute the cards. Metro Manila residents will receive their cards within 15 working days, while those outside Metro Manila will receive theirs within 20 working days.
He concluded that launching the MySSS Card is part of a larger government push. This initiative is led by Finance Secretary and Social Security Commission ex-officio Chair Recto, who has championed reforms within the SSS to enhance its service delivery.(PR)
Most busy day of the week
Several studies and surveys have examined which days of the week office workers tend to be the busiest or most productive.
Findings vary, with results suggesting that many factors influence when people feel most productive or overwhelmed with work.
The majority of studies, both in the United States and in the Philippines, point to Monday and Tuesday as the busiest and most productive days for office employees.
While this may be true in many workplaces here and abroad, in our case at DA-RFO 8, I humbly observe that productivity depends not only on the day of the week but also on individual work habits, as well as the quality of relations and partnership between management and employees.
Ultimately, our personal productivity depends on our natural tendencies, workload, the type of job we do, and how we plan our day.
For example, the multiple activities that AMAD has handled over the past weeks could easily overwhelm us. Nonetheless, our ability to remain flexible—getting things done while still having time and energy to enjoy life—reflects the work habits and leadership culture we strive to cultivate.
There are days when we work longer hours so that later in the week we can carve out time for other activities. But since the onset of the “Ber months,” our work schedule has been totally different.
At AMAD, I oversee three sections: the Agribusiness Promotion Section, the Agribusiness Industry Support Section, and the Marketing Development Section. Each has its own targets as indicated in our Annual Work and Financial Plan, which must align with our Division Performance Commitment and Review (DPCR). This serves as our ultimate guide in delivering services. Nothing should go beyond this, except for intervening activities specified in advance. Otherwise, efforts outside the DPCR will go unaccounted for.
Thus, we all need to support one another and work doubly hard to meet targets and deadlines. Simply put, everything we do must be in line with our Office Performance Commitment and Review (OPCR) and reflected in our submitted reports, supported by documents such as the Client Satisfaction Survey (CSF).
As I write this piece, it is a Friday—yet we are as busy as ever at DA-RFO 8. AMAD oversees the Kadiwa ng Pangulo sa Carpark, some of us are attending Agrilink—one of the biggest agricultural exhibitions and seminars at the World Trade Center—and others are focused on gathering requirements from our partner LGUs and FCAs applying for Kadiwa and AECEA (under Sagip Saka) financial grants. These efforts are necessary to ensure that our agency’s financial obligations and disbursements are met, as every DA-RFO is expected to fully and efficiently utilize its allocated funds.
To those who claim that government workers operate at a “turtle’s pace,” I invite you to observe how we work up close. From Monday to Friday, and often even on weekends, we are always on the go. Every day is tension-filled as we work to meet approved targets and plans that must be accomplished on time.
Clearly, the busiest days are not only Mondays and Tuesdays. In reality, work schedules are full from Monday through Friday—and sometimes beyond—depending on urgent needs.
We do not complain, nor do we boast about the work we accomplish. We simply strive to be flexible and do our best with passion, compassion, and professionalism, while still making time to enjoy personal life.
Yes, there are days when we work longer hours. But there are also days when we find time to enjoy other pursuits. This balance is the culture we at DA, through the support of our regional management and employees, continue to uphold.
Thank God, we manage to fulfill our responsibilities through prayer, perseverance, and by maintaining a no-nonsense balance between work and leisure—preserving both our individual and collective sanity.