SSS Taps Antique Cooperatives for Members’ Contributions and Loan Payments

In a significant move, the Social Security System (SSS) has partnered with two additional cooperatives in the province of Antique, allowing over 8,000 SSS members to conveniently pay their monthly contributions and loan payments through their respective cooperatives.

Signing Partnership Deals

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet announced that the agreements were signed with Belison and Hamtic Multi-Purpose Cooperatives (MPC) on July 9, 2024. This partnership enables the cooperatives to accept contribution payments and facilitate online transactions for their members who are also SSS members.

“Establishing durable partnerships with cooperatives is crucial in securing the active SSS membership of our members as well as in fulfilling member-borrowers’ responsibility to pay their monthly amortizations regularly,” Macasaet said.

Accreditation Program for Cooperatives

Under the SSS Accreditation Program for Cooperatives, authorized cooperatives can collect and remit SSS and Employees’ Compensation (EC) contributions. Additionally, member-borrowers can pay their monthly loan amortizations through this arrangement.

“In providing such assistance to its members, the cooperatives may claim a service fee of P6.00 from SSS for every processed and approved transaction,” Macasaet added.

Facilitating SSS Transactions

Aside from being SSS collection partners, the cooperatives are also authorized to facilitate selected SSS transactions such as membership and My.SSS registrations, disbursement account enrollment, and online submission of benefit and loan applications.

This partnership will give their members a more convenient way of conducting SSS transactions through Hamtic and Belison MPC. It will also help them save money because they no longer have to visit SSS Antique, which is approximately 8 to 16 kilometers away from their towns, for their SSS transactions.

Registering New SSS Members

As part of the agreement, more than 2,000 co-op members who do not have SSS membership will be registered as SSS members. This initiative aims to ensure the social security protection of their members, primarily farmers, fisherfolks, government employees, and businessmen.

“It will give their members a more convenient way of conducting SSS transactions through Hamtic and Belison MPC. It will also help them save money because they no longer have to visit SSS Antique, which is approximately 8 to 16 kilometers away from their towns, for their SSS transactions,” Macasaet said.

Existing Partner Cooperatives

In addition to Hamtic and Belison MPC, there are five existing partner cooperatives in Antique: DAO MPC, Barbaza MPC, Patnongon MPC, Pandan MPC, and Libertad MPC.Macasaet added that aside from Hamtic and Belison MPC, there are five existing partner cooperatives in Antique: DAO MPC, Barbaza MPC, Patnongon MPC, Pandan MPC, and Libertad MPC.

Stakeholder’s Forum

SSS top officials, including Macasaet, met with over 100 employers, barangay officials, self-employed members, and local media practitioners in a Stakeholder’s Forum held at the Eagles Place Hotel. During the forum, they discussed the value of SSS membership and updates on its programs and services.

“In providing such assistance to its members, the cooperatives may claim a service fee of P6.00 from SSS for every processed and approved transaction,” Macasaet added.

Subsidy for Barangay Officials

Antique District Representative Antonio B. Legarda Jr. and Senator Loren B. Legarda attended the forum and pledged to subsidize the one-month SSS contributions of nearly 4,720 barangay officials of Antique, amounting to P2.6 million.

This initiative aims to encourage more barangay officials to become active SSS members and ensure their social security protection. By subsidizing their contributions, the government representatives hope to make it easier for barangay officials to fulfill their SSS obligations.

Importance of Social Security Protection

The partnership between SSS and Antique cooperatives highlights the importance of providing social security protection to all members of society, regardless of their occupation or income level.

Farmers, fisherfolks, government employees, and businessmen are essential contributors to the economy and deserve access to social security benefits such as retirement, disability, and death benefits. By making it easier for them to pay their contributions and access SSS services, the SSS is ensuring that these members can enjoy the benefits of social security protection.

Convenience and Cost Savings

One of the main advantages of the partnership is the convenience and cost savings it provides to SSS members in Antique. By allowing them to pay their contributions and access SSS services through their local cooperatives, members no longer need to travel long distances to the SSS Antique office.

This not only saves them time and money but also encourages more members to actively participate in the social security system. By making it easier for members to fulfill their obligations, the SSS is ensuring that more people can benefit from the social security protection it provides.

Summary

The partnership between SSS and Antique cooperatives is a significant step towards ensuring that all members of society have access to social security protection. By making it easier for members to pay their contributions and access SSS services, the SSS is fulfilling its mandate to provide social security protection to all Filipinos.

The subsidy provided by Antique District Representative Antonio B. Legarda Jr. and Senator Loren B. Legarda is also a commendable initiative that demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting social security programs. By working together with cooperatives and government representatives, the SSS is ensuring that social security protection is accessible to all members of society.