More than 3,600 job order (JO) and contract of service (COS) workers in the Bicol region are now enjoying the benefits and privilege of being a Social Security System (SSS) member.
In a press conference on Tuesday, SSS Luzon Bicol Division Vice President Elinita Samblero said this was after they continued to strengthen the KaSSSangga Collect Program, which aims to protect the welfare of employees who are not covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
"We really go to the far-flung areas and ask the barangay officials and encourage them to be members of SSS. For LGUs (local government units), they have to have approved Sangguniang resolution giving authority to the head or officer to enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA); it's like they're authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract," she said.
Samblero said the KaSSSangga Collect Program provides social security coverage to JOs and COS who are working and serving LGUs, national government agencies, state colleges and universities, and local water districts.
"With the program, the JOs and COS enjoy social security protection, including sickness, maternity, disability, unemployment, death, and funeral benefits with necessary qualifying conditions. The employees may also avail of loan privileges such as for calamity, education, and housing," she said.
As of June 2024, SSS has an existing MOA with 201 LGUs and 39 national government agencies and has collected more than PHP32 million.
After the press conference, the Land Transportation Office in Bicol (LTO-5) signed an MOA with SSS for their 70 JO and COS employees to be part of the KaSSSanga Collect Program. (PNA)
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