800 Job Order, Contractual Barangay Workers in Tarlac Register as SSS Members, Aiming for Financial Security

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— About 800 job order (JO) and contract of service (COS) barangay workers from San Jose and Victoria towns in Tarlac became self-employed members of the Social Security System (SSS).

In a significant move towards bolstering social security for marginalized government workers, the state firm, represented by Social Security System (SSS) President and CEO Rolando Macasaet, has inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Liga ng mga Barangay municipal chapters. This collaboration aims to provide inclusive, affordable, and sustainable safety nets for job order (JO) and contract of service (COS) workers who often face financial challenges due to their employment status.

Under the KaSSSanga Collect Program, JO and COS workers will now be registered as self-employed members, granting them access to SSS "womb-to-tomb" benefits. Macasaet emphasized the necessity of this initiative, highlighting the disparity in benefits between regular government employees and these essential but often overlooked workers.

The newly eligible members can now avail themselves of various Social Security (SS) benefits, including sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death, funeral, salary loan, and calamity loan. Furthermore, they are entitled to receive Employees Compensation (EC) benefits for work-connected contingencies, providing them with much-needed financial protection.

Macasaet introduced the Workers Investment and Savings Program (WISP), catering to both high and low earners contributing to the SSS program. Workers with a Monthly Salary Credit (MSC) exceeding P20,000 can enroll in WISP, while those below the threshold can opt for WISP Plus with contributions as low as P500. Additionally, SSS offers voluntary and mandatory provident fund programs to further enhance retirement savings.

Governor Susan Yap lauded the partnership, acknowledging its significant impact on the financial security of JO and COS workers who are ineligible for the Government Service Insurance System. She emphasized the importance of saving for the future and expressed hope for sustained collaboration with local government units to ensure the program's success.

With a minimum monthly contribution of P570, self-employed members can now access a comprehensive suite of social security benefits, marking a significant step towards bridging the gap in welfare provisions for government workers.

angelfaith.ph

Ms. Angel Faith Danganan serves as the President of Central Luzon Balita and has worked as a broadcast journalist with the news group for less than a decade. Originally from Capas, Tarlac, she actively participates in numerous civic groups and public service initiatives. She took up her Broadcast communication studies at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Manila.