Life’s Lessons

It’s Wednesday again. Time flies so fast. Ace was off to work so I start my own thing in here. Yesterday, Ace was on half-day leave so he could transact business at Social Security System (SSS) and Home Mutual Development Fund (HDMF). I tag along - for a change. I seldom go out during weekdays so it’s a chance for me to see the busy streets of the city. We arrived at SSS building at exactly 3PM. The guard instructed him to get a priority number and so he lined up at information counter. After more than 10 minutes of waiting, he was given #229. While waiting for Ace to get his priority number, I joined the people sitting on the benches in front of six counters but only one is serving the clients. All other counters are closed. The employees must be taking their afternoon snack by then but hey, only one left to serve their customers? More or less 60 people are waiting to be entertained that time. I shouldn’t be shocked because SSS people, like all other government offices, are very lax — not even customer service oriented. Continue Reading »

Popularity: 55% [?]

Tags: Beefy Baked Macaroni, Chicken intestine, Del Monte Fresh Produce Phils., green mango, Greenwich, HDMF, Home Mutual Development Fund, Inc., isaw. chorizo, Lasagna Supreme, Mang Domeng's, Pryce Tower, Rocky's Barber, Social Security System, SSS, Unifrutti Services

Before we got married, I was thinking of getting a foreclosed house and lot from either Pag-Ibig or SSS. It’s cheaper, with bigger lot and floor area and mostly it’s located near downtown area. Lots of earlier developed subdivisions that ranges from 125 - 150 sq m while newly developed subdivisions’ lot are smaller with only 80-100 square meters. Hence, if we wanted to have a bigger lot , we have no choice but to get 2 lots and it costs much. Also, subdivisions are getting farther and farther from the city limits. Some are not even accessible with public transportation. Thus I was really interested in getting a foreclosed house and just like others, we will monitor for foreclosure notice being posted at Pag-Ibig’s office so that we can place our bid early. But after few months, Ace’ plan changed. We are going to build a house in the lot that will be given to him by his MaDy.  

Popularity: 10% [?]

Tags: bigger lot and floor area, foreclosure, house foreclosure, Pag-Ibig, SSS

When I was conducting company orientation to new hires, aside from the company policies being discussed, it was such a tedious task enumerating all the benefits (both government mandated and company initiated). Everything was layed down from the benefits they are eligible upon employment (the government mandated such as SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-Ibig, and 13th month pay), the benefits they can avail upon regularization (Health Plan, Group Life Insurance, Uniform Subsidy and Rice Subsidy, and the Annual Merit Increase), and other benefits they can avail one year after their regularization (Sick and Vacation Leaves, Bereavement/Nuptial Leaves). When I ask them if they understood everything I have told them, I got a big YES from them. I presume everything’s being understood.

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Popularity: 15% [?]

Tags: 13th month pay, annual merit increase, Bereavement/Nuptial Leave, company benefits, company initiated beneftis, government mandated, Health Plan, HMO, life insurance, Pag-Ibig, performance bonus, PhilHealth, salary, Sick Leave, SSS, Vacation Leave