Close to 200 clients of Social Security System benefited during the agency’s e-Wheels Palengke Caravan at the La Trinidad Trading Post on Friday.
The digital caravan aims to streamline accessibility by providing on-site registrations, membership consultations, and benefit clarifications, eliminating the need for members to travel to distant agency branches.
SSS Vice President Normita Cruz said the initiative intentionally targets high-traffic public markets to capture workers who lack formal employer coverage.
“Of course yung number one na layunin natin para maabot nating lahat ng mga miyembro natin. At sinama ang lugar na ganito, palengke, hindi lang po yung mga employees natin yung mga may mga employer ang binibigyan natin ng tamang serbisyo. Pati po yung mga informal sector natin,” Cruz said.
Cruz added the agency initially expected to serve 150 to 200 clients during the single-day caravan, however, she noted that final numbers could fluctuate because vendors in the busy commercial zone must balance seeking government assistance with attending to their regular buyers and daily sales.
Local vendors welcomed the transaction caravan, noting that traditional office hours often conflict with their peak business operations.
Teresita Dacumos, a market helper at the trading post, said the mobile setup allowed her to check her membership status without losing vital working hours.
“Mas mabuti. Mahirap na maglakad-lakad, busy tayo dito sa Trading Post. Kami mga backers lang kami, wala kaming time,” Dacumos said. Jerome Jacy Cruz | UC Intern
