BANTAY, Ilocos Sur –The Social Security System (SSS) held a dialogue with the Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office (ISPPO) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) here recently to discuss plans to facilitate social security coverage of former rebels through contribution subsidy arrangements.
The SSS is discussing details with the PNP as to the number of former rebels, their current livelihood, and their typical monthly income to determine the cost of providing full social security contributions to them for a period of six (6) months. SSS is keen on participating as a subsidy provider under its Contribution Subsidy Provider Program (CSPP).
Eventually, it is hoped that government, non-government entities, and individuals can also participate in the CSPP as subsidy providers to sustain social security coverage of the former rebels well beyond six (6) months.
“SSS learned that these former armed groups are now enrolled in various livelihood trainings offered by the government as part of their reintegration process. We, at SSS, would like to be part of this government endeavor by providing them social protection as they rebuild their lives in the community,” SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said.
As SSS active members, CSPP beneficiaries will be qualified for different SSS benefits like sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death, and funeral and be eligible to loan privileges such as the Salary Loan Program. They are also entitled to Employee Compensation (EC) benefits for work-related contingencies.
“As soon as the details and guidelines are finalized, we will meet prospective contribution subsidy providers and their beneficiaries to orient them on the value of SSS membership as well as their responsibilities under this program,” Macasaet said.
Provincial Director PCOL Marlo Aquino Castillo as represented by Deputy Provincial Director for Administration PLTCOL Louise Benjie Pintor Tremor, expressed his support in the project and promised to assist SSS in any way possible. (UnliNews Online
