Voluntary government payments

I have been a busy bee this morning.  haha.  Went to three government offices (HDMF, Philhealth and SSS) to file and pay as a voluntary member..  Ive been in this road a few years ago but forgot what to do, the requirements, the deadline, etc. so Im keeping a record of  what I did today thru my journal.

I prefer to transact in Makati bec 1) my previous records/employers are in Makati and 2) the 3 offices are conveniently located along Buendia/Gil Puyat Avenue. 

Dont forget to bring ballpen (faster to fill up forms), at least one valid ID and your ID numbers for HDMF, Philhealth &SSS if you dont have the cards. 

I. First stop:  HDMF / Pag ibig

My husband dropped me off  at 9am.  I asked the lobby guard where to go if I'll file and pay as voluntary member.. He said 2nd floor so went to 2nd floor and queud up for the 'membership' desk.  After 15 mins (3 people), it was my turn to talk to the female employee. I was told I need to bring latest ITR and 2 valid IDs.  I didnt have my ITR with me so I said I'll go back.  And then she told me to go to 4th floor 'membership' desk for Makati 2 members (per their system, Makati 2 is the group where my most recent employer is included based on its address).

So I went to 4th floor, no queu (yehey!) and the guy told me I didnt need to bring latest ITR since Im just reactivating my membership as a voluntary member.  He requested for my ID, searched for my name, asked how many months I'll be paying.  Then he printed one page "Payment Order Form" indicating the months I'll be paying.   Since its time consuming to go back, I always pay a few months in advance.  HDMF contribution is just P100 a month.  You also have an option to pay P200 instead of P100.  I should bring this POF when I pay at ground floor, photocopy the form and receipt before going back to him for filing.  It was still quite early not yet 9:45 am so there was no queu (yehey again!) at the payment counter.  But when I left, I noticed more people are now sitting on the chairs.  After paying, I went to the nearest photocopying service which is at Star Centrum building, the 2nd building next to HDMF.  ONce done, I went back to 4th floor, membership desk and submitted the copy of the POF and official receipt.  He stamped received the orig POF and thats it! Filed and Paid as Voluntary Member at HDMF. Success!


II. Second stop:  Philhealth

After HDMF office, I walked to Philhealth (ground floor) which is beside BPI Reposo and PS Bank. I like walking and it wasnt too far.  1st step, get the form at the desk near the guard.  Once completed, get a number from the guard to queu at Counter/Desk 1.  This process didnt take long, around 10 minutes only.  Unfortunately, since its January already, the Desk 1 guy told me I can only pay January onwards and not December 2011. I said isnt the deadline one month after.  He said yes for employed members but no for voluntary members. BUT I can back pay as long as I can confirm from another window/office if the latest month of payment per their records is November.  So I went to a different room in the same floor. Their records show my latest contribution posted is August.  What??!!! I was so surprised... So I went back to the Desk 1 guy and told him this info, he said probably the contributions have not been posted yet.  So, I need to get a Certificate of Contribution from my recent employer before I can pay.  I should do this by March 2012 if I want to backpay December 2011.  But to be sure, once I get the Cert of Contribution, I'll head back to Philhealth ASAP!

III. Last stop:  SSS

After my unsuccessful stint at Philhealth, I'm hoping it will go well at SSS.  So then I walked to their Makati branch near Petron gas station corner Makati and Buendia Ave.  Did I say I like walking? haha.  Its not that far and the weather was good (sunny but not humid).

At SSS, I went to Counter 10 for inquiry then Counter 3 to get the RS-5 form.  There's a queu, around 5 people but quick lang bec general inquiry lang naman ung counter 10. I also got the SSS contribution table which shows the payment deadline depending on the last number of your SSS #. After I got the form, I just need to complete it and pay at any of the authorized payment centers (ie. banks, SM). But I wanted to know what month was my last contribution before i pay. For my info. So I got the number 1186 for the "Generalist" counters.  I think there were four counters but unfortunately the number being served at that time is 1126.  I was hoping the line will be fast but I waited for 10 minutes before the number changed to 1127 and 1128.  There were a lot of people there before me unlike HDMF and Philhealth.  With the rate the line was moving, I will be there forever! haha.  I was getting hungry and thirsty so I decided to leave and just pay at the nearest bank. Fortunately, there's a bank near SSS, (Bank of Commerce at the Petron station) which accepts SSS remittance payments. I went inside, no queu and paid December 2011 to March 2012. Yes, success!

And you guessed right, I walked to the nearest resto. haha.