Manila: The Social Security System (SSS) has initiated its nationwide Palengke Caravan, deploying mobile e-Wheels to public markets and barangays in selected towns and cities. This initiative aims to bring essential services directly to the people, especially in underserved and remote communities, as part of a weeklong effort to improve public service delivery.
According to Philippines News Agency, the SSS stated that the caravan aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to expedite and localize public services. The caravan commenced in Metro Manila on May 25, aiming to serve approximately 21,500 clients. The subsequent destinations include Calapan, Oriental Mindoro; Legazpi, Albay; Silay City, Negros Occidental; and Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, with activities scheduled for May 27. The nationwide initiative is set to conclude in Virac, Catanduanes, on May 28.
The mobile caravan offers a range of services such as employer registration, member inquiries and verification, Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP), updates of member data records, issuance of SSS numbers and forms, as well as online transactions like My.SSS registration, password resetting, Payment Reference Number generation, pension loan applications, and benefit claim applications. Additionally, SSS has introduced a new facial authentication with liveness check feature for ACOP verification, enabling eligible pensioners to complete verification more efficiently without needing to visit a branch.
SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph De Claro emphasized the significance of this initiative, highlighting how it alleviates the burden of transportation costs, lost income, and time spent in queues for many pensioners, informal workers, and members in underserved areas. "Through the SSS e-Wheels/Palengke Caravan, we are bringing government services directly to communities, allowing people to access assistance and complete transactions closer to where they live and work," De Claro stated.
Between January and April 2026, SSS conducted a total of 3,294 e-Wheels activities nationwide, serving 239,367 members and residents in last-mile communities. De Claro reiterated the organization's commitment to increasing accessibility and responsiveness, making SSS services more convenient for workers, pensioners, and their families.
