As a freelancer, I have to look after my dealings with government offices. I recently had a frustrating experience with two government offices. At least, I learned two things.

I. Auto-Debit Arrangement for SSS Contributions

With the Auto-Debit Arrangement form in my bag, I found my way towards the SSS office in Cubao. It would be my second trip to their office in two weeks’ time. The first time we went there, I was told that I can go to my bank to arrange the auto-debit. I did. The officers at BPI Sto. Domingo, however, told me that SSS will take care of that for me. Fine. I was willing to let it go because they explained that the merchant (SSS) should be the one making the request to debit money from my bank account.

The SSS office appeared closed because the metal shutters were pulled down on the building windows. But it was open. Fortunately, my lack of sleep did not keep me from stumbling or swooning from the heat of the sun. The sky was overcast, which was a good thing, and held the promise of rain.

There were a few people inside the office unlike the first time I went there two weeks ago. The lady at Counter 5 took my form and exclaimed surprise as if it were the first time she ever saw that form. She directed me to the front desk. The lady there motioned me to go to the Counseling Desk, which I did.

Horrors of horrors! I was told to go back to the bank! “But I’ve been there,” I answered with a touch of defiance in my voice, “and the bank told me to go back to you.” He took the forms and studied them. After deciding that it was indeed their responsibility to handle such requests, he told me I needed to photocopy two valid ID’s and a proof that the account number truly belongs to me.

Dang. I felt my blood stirring to a boil. Like mercury going up in the armpits of a feverish boy.

They didn’t tell me about those requirements the first time I went there and the information was not in their website either! How many times should I go back just to get something done?

Once? Definitely not! Twice? Doubtful! Thrice? Maybe… I sure hope they can get my auto debit done the next time I go there, which might be late February.

But all I wanted to do that day and time was to gloat in my frustration towards this government office. I am already a freelancer and I want to make sure that I continue my contributions to the SSS. But why should it become that difficult? Talk about efficient public administration!

I very well know that this is also the case in other government offices. If you, dear reader, knew of an efficient and fast-serving government office, please let me know and we will praise such a government agency.

Part II. Getting a Cedula from City Hall

I tried to cool down as I traversed EDSA to board a bus bound to the City Hall. I needed a cedula or community tax certificate because the next day, I will sign a contract as a freelance editor.

The Quezon City hall was still bustling with life even at four in the afternoon. I asked around to understand how to go about the process. There was a booth in the middle of the quadrangle where people loitered. Apparently, somebody wearing a blue collared shirt can help provide the application form there.

I completed the form and headed to the person issuing the CTC/cedula. He was a bespectacled man in his forties who had the look of having dealt with more than a hundred persons the whole day. He took the form from me and started scribbling the information down on the form. After a while, he asked how much I earned in a year. I gave him the figure and I had to pay PhP 137.

Not too bad, it was pretty quick. The problem was, I gave him PhP 140 and he flatly told me he has no change! After my experience at SSS, here comes another government office nightmare. People do not give back your change! I mean, that’s just 3 pesos man. But if that person dealt with 200 people that day and he did not give out 3-peso change to all of them, he can keep P600 for himself!

Dang! I just shook my head in frustration and consoled myself that hey, the City Hall owes me P3.

I went to Trinoma after that and tried to cool my head off, but apparently, as my girlfriend experienced, it takes time before government frustration rubs off me. I just learned that one sure way to ruin your day is to transact with a government office. Prove me wrong if you can!

At least I’ve learned two lessons that day:

1. Check all requirements before going to a government office, especially SSS. Check the website and call before leaving your house.
2. Bring coins and spare change when you pay your CTC/cedula or when you pay anything at all.

These are parts of the hazards of being a freelancer. I no longer have an employer to take care of such things for me. I am also going to file my income tax return by February. That would also be an interesting blog post.

So much for good governance!