I've been to hell and back.
Oops, did that sound bad? "I need to finish my application for government-issued ID's", what I told my boss as my excuse for taking a leave today. For Philippine government-issued ID's, I meant my SSS (Social Security System) ID, TIN (Taxpayer's Identification Number) Card, PAG-IBIG ID (if there's such) and Voter's ID. I already have my TIN Card, but my last name was misspelled. Having that ID is as good as not having it at all. It can never be recognized as a valid one so I need to have it replaced.
I prepared all the requirements yesterday so there won't be any reason for delay. I just can't seem to think about failure when I sacrificed a day's worth of pay when there won't be any results. I even brought extra ID's (Birth certificate and NBI Clearance for the SSS ID, Form 1902 for the TIN) just to sure. Upon my officemate's suggestion, I got up early and arrived in SSS Makati (ECC Building near Gil Puyat cor. Makati Ave.) at around 7:30 am.
The ID room was already full. Thanks to the old man who stood up from his seat, I began to fill in the E-6 form sitting. Before I could fill up everything, I remember the form I already completed yesterday. I took it out and dropped it inside a box where a bunch of E-6 forms are queued.
To kill time while waiting for my name to be called, I played Radiant Mythology on PSP. By some *tough* luck, my character just keeps on dying before even finishing the first quest. 
When my name was called, I hurriedly went to the desk officer and gave my ID's (passport and company ID) for verification. Uh-oh, the woman said I didn't stated the correct SSS Number. I was expecting her to shoo me away and tell me to come back later. I've had experiences with government employees before and they don't forgive the slightest discrepancy in your forms even if you beg for your life. Thankfully, she corrected the number herself and told me to come back at 10am for the picture taking and fingerprinting.
It was 8:30am, I thought about how I could just slip into the office. But since I have other plans in line, I couldn't simply ignore them. I went to the Atrium of Makati (along Makati Ave.) through an Ayala-Guadalupe jeepney.
Unlike SSS Makati, there weren't too many people inside the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) office. They just asked for my old TIN Card and the BIR Form 1902 and I was immediately accommodated and served. My new TIN card will be ready by next week so I'm going back there then.
I saw a PAG-IBIG Home Development Mutual Fund office inside the Atrium but when I asked the guard, it wasn't the place I was looking for. Thankfully, the other PAG-IBIG office is also along Gil Puyat Ave. (Buendia). I braved Makati Avenue under the hot scorching sun. Then I took a ride again from Buendia cor. Makati Avenue until there.
Among the places I've been today, PAG-IBIG Makati has the least among my negative presumptions of a government office. Employees were courteous, the office spaces are neatly arranged. They even look more privatized than my current workplace (hehe, sorry!).
While waiting for my list of contributions to be printed, the guy offered me some candies. 
I didn't even have to prove my identification to get their service. I needed my PAG-IBIG number and they advised me to consolidate first my contributions from my previous employer with my current one. After a few minutes, I was done and they gave me a contact number to call after a week to verify the transfer of record (and to probably get my PAG-IBIG number). Unfortunately, I was wrong about the PAG-IBIG ID since they don't issue any.
Since COMELEC Makati is just some steps away from the PAG-IBIG office, I just walked to Makati Fire Station, walked up the second floor of the building and opened the COMELEC Makati's door, in hopes of getting my Voter's ID.
After getting those almost good vibes about our government offices, this is where I got frustrated. The less than concerned employee instantly shoved me off and whined about the government not providing funds for Voter's ID since year 2004.
Didn't he just ask me some seconds ago, if I have some confirmation letter? I only handed him the tab which I got from last year when I requested for a transfer of precinct. I can't believe I was there for nothing so I demanded that they prove if my records have already indeed been transferred.
The guy whined again. In an agitated voice he said that since I already voted last elections, it's implied that my records are now with COMELEC Makati. But I insisted so he uninterestedly looked up the computer and verified my record. I just realized that at times like these, we need to be firm with our stand and not be complacent with these people's pathetic reasons.
I crossed Buendia and rode to SSS Makati again. Just in time when I arrived, I was called for the second procedure. Again, I presented my 2 ID's, signed my name and mailing address on the log book, smiled for the camera, then recorded my finger prints and signature digitally. I'd be expecting my SSS ID on my doorstep after 3 weeks.
Contrary to popular notions about government offices, I didn't quite at all felt burdened by the office-hopping I underwent today. Though I still felt that the results aren't worth the hours I spent outside the office. ;^^
so did you receive your SS ID?