TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) –Social Security System (SSS) is eyeing at getting to the “low-lying fruits,” who could be their next set of potential beneficiaries for the government’s social security coverage.
These low-lying fruits presenting themselves as ripe for the picking are the newly elected barangay officials, who need social security coverage and could help themselves with the benefits attached to one’s SSS membership, hints Rolando Ledesma-Macasaet, SSS Chief Executive Officer and President.
Coming to Bohol for the Stakeholder’s Forum held at the Be Grand Convention Center Hall, Macasaet has been looking at the possibility of improving the system’s 42 million members, as he appealed for the media for help in this goal.
At their scopes are barangay officials, about 10 of them times 40,000 barangays, whose officials who are now assured of regular incomes to be enrolled as members.
For a minimum contribution of a little P500 as voluntary member, a member can avail of Sickness Benefit, which is a daily cash allowance paid for the number of days a member is unable to work due to sickness or injury.
She can also avail of Maternity benefits; a daily cash allowance granted to a female member who is unable to work due to childbirth or miscarriage.
And then, there is disability benefit, a cash benefit granted, either as a monthly pension or a lump-sum amount – to a member who becomes permanently disabled, either partially or totally.
Then, there is also a retirement benefit which is a cash benefit granted – either as a monthly compensation or a lump-sum amount – to a member who can no longer work due to old age.
In cases of death, a member’s survivors can claim a cash benefit– either as a monthly compensation or lump-sum amount.
Then, there is funeral benefits, which is a P20,000 reimbursement to whoever paid for the burial expenses of the deceased member.
Finally, a member can opt for a salary loan, which can be granted to an employed, currently – paying self-employed or voluntary member, to help a member meet his short-term credit needs.
Barangay officials, even if they are government workers, do not have employer-employee relationship that they could not get to the government service insurance system.
And given a full nine years in service, with the SSS enrolment in the first term, and granting that he does not lose to serve his full term, one barangay official will only need 12 more months of contribution to have a fully matured policy. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
