1st February 2013

SSS lauds signing of Kasambahay Law Posted by Yel Cobile, Contributing Correspondent, on February 1, 2013, 8:35 pm (By Sigfredo Ibay, SSS Administration, 1 Feb 2013) The Social Security Sytem (SSS) welcomed the signing into law by President Benigno Aquino III last January 18 of Republic Act No. 10361, "An Act Instituting Policies for the Protection and Welfare of Domestic Workers", or more popularly known as the Kasambahay Law. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio S. de Quiros, Jr. said that the Law, which took over 17 years in the making, furthered strengthened SSS’ long-standing mandate to provide social protection to household workers, which include maids, family drivers, nursemaids or yaya, gardeners, cooks, or laundry women. "As early as September 1, 1993, the SSS had already made the registration and coverage of househelpers mandatory," de Quiros explained. "We have made significant strides in fulfilling that mandate, but this new Kasambahay Law has more ‘teeth’ in terms of enforcing compliance and punishing non-compliance. More importantly, househelpers are given wider social protection through their mandatory membership and contributions in Philhealth, and Pag-IBIG, aside from SSS." Under current SSS guidelines, household employers must register their househelpers and remit to SSS their monthly contributions, the amount of which is shared between the employer and the househelper. The rate of contribution is 10.4 percent of the gross income, with the employer paying 7.07 percent and the employee paying 3.33 percent of the total 10.4 percent. Under the Kasambahay Law, househelpers earning P5,000 or less per month are exempted from being deducted for their share in social security contributions, which the household employer must bear alone. "In terms of penalty, non-compliance to the provisions of the Kasamabahay Law carries a fine of not less than P10,000 but not more than P40,000. This is significantly higher than the current penalty imposed by SSS of not less than P5,000 and not more than P20,000. So, hopefully, household employers will be further deterred from not obeying the law," de Quiros said. Household helpers are required to secure an SS number before they can be reported for coverage under the SSS by filling out Personal Record (SS Form E-1) and submitting it to the SSS together with the original/certified true copy and photocopy of their birth certificate, baptismal certificate, driver's license or passport. In their absence, secondary documents like voter's ID, school ID, police clearance and other ID's may also be submitted. The SSS shall issue Employer (ER) Numbers to all new or first time household employers upon submission of properly accomplished ER Registration (SS Form R-1) and Employment Report (SS Form R-1A), which shall contain the SS numbers and names of their househelpers. Meanwhile, household helpers who are using their SSS numbers to pay for the contributions of their househelpers shall be allowed to do so until they are provided their respective ER numbers. The SSS has partnered with different banks and institutions to accept payments from employers. ER payments may also be made thru Automatic Debit Arrangement (ADA) with accredited banks or over-the-counter at Bayad Center outlets and SM Business Centers. As of December 2012, the SSS has 95,860 Househelpers in its membership rolls. As of October 2012, contributions made by Househelpers and their employers reached around P189 Million, or 0.2 percent of total SSS collections then of P78.5 Billion. The SSS is set to release soon new guidelines to incorporate the provisions of the Kasambahay Law. Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0

29th January 2013

SSS: Kasunduang pang-seguridad ng mga magsasaka, nilagdaan Posted by Yel Cobile, Contributing Correspondent, on January 29, 2013, 8:04 pm (By Sigfredo Ibay, SSS Administration, 29 jan 2013) CABANATUAN, Nueva Ecija --- Tiyak na ang seguridad ng ilang magsasaka sa Nueva Ecija matapos pirmahan ang isang kasunduang naglalayong pagtibayin ang kanilang proteksyon sa ilalim ng Social Security System (SSS). Pinangunahan nina SSS President at Chief Executive Officer Emilio S. de Quiros Jr at Deep Well Sumulong Irrigators Association (DWSIA) President Maximo Hernal ang paglagda sa memorandum of agreement (MOA) sa naganap na pagtitipon ng mahigit kumulang 1000 magsasaka mula sa iba't ibang Irrigators Associations (IAs) noong Enero 29 sa Cabanatuan. Sa ilalim ng MOA, magbibigay ng tulong pinansyal ang DWSIA sa 200 kasapi nitong magsasaka para sa mas mataas na kontribusyon sa SSS. “Tutumbasan ng DWSIA ang bawat hulog ng magsasaka na may halagang kapantay ng kanilang buwanang kontribusyon. Samakatuwid, tataas ng doble ang halaga ng kontribusyong maihuhulog nila sa SSS kada buwan.” ani de Quiros. “Halimbawa, kung ang magsasaka ay may P156 para sa hulog, madadagdagan pa ito ng P156 na manggagaling sa DWSIA. Sa kabuuan, ito ay magkakahalaga ng P312 buwanang hulog. Dahil dito, mas mataas rin ang maaari nilang makuhang benepisyo o loan amount mula sa SSS,” paliwanag ni de Quiros. Dagdag pa niya, layon ng ahensya na palawigin ang programa at ikalat sa buong Central Luzon upang mas mapabuti ang proteksyon ng mahigit kumulang 69,000 magsasakang miyembro ng mga IAs sa rehiyon. “Sa pamamagitan ng kasunduan, makaseseguro ang mga magsasakang naibibigay sa SSS ang kanilang mga kontribusyon dahil mismong kanilang mga IA ang maghuhulog nito para sa kanila,” sabi ni de Quiros. Ang bawat IA sa Central Luzon ay binubuo ng mga lokal na magsasakang kumakatawan sa mga may-aring lupa at manggagawa sa bukid. Ang pondong gagamitin bilang tulong pinansiyal ng mga IA ay mula sa cash incentives na ipinagkakaloob sa kanila ng National Irrigation Authority (NIA) para sa maayos na pagpapanatili ng kanilang irrigation system. Nakasaad rin sa kasunduan ang pagtatalaga sa DWSIA bilang SSS servicing agent. Binibigyan nito ng kapangyarihan ang DWSIA na tumanggap at sumuri ng mga aplikasyon ng mga magsasaka para sa kanilang SSS number, salary loan, at benepisyo sa pagpapalibing. Kasama na din dito ang pagpapatunay ng “fact-of-death” ng nasawing miyembro. “Bilang aming servicing agent, babayaran ng SSS ang DWSIA ng apat na piso bilang processing fee sa bawat aprubadong transaksyon,” ani de Quiros. Ang DWSIA ay isa sa 131 IAs sa ilalim ng Division III ng NIA-Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (UPRIIS). Sila ay may 185 na kasaping magsasaka na nangangalaga ng 218.55 hektarya ng lupa na pinamumunuan ni Hernal na kasalukuyang president rin ng Federation of IAs ng Division III. “Hangad namin na sundan pa ng kagayang kasunduan ang SSS-DWSIA MOA para masaklaw ang marami pang magsasaka sa ilalim ng NIA-UPRIIS sa mga lalawigan ng Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac at Bulacan,” dagdag ni de Quiros. Ang NIA-UPRIIS ay may limang dibisyon na sumasaklaw sa 391 IAs sa Central Luzon. Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0

7th January 2013

New SSS branch clinics enhance delivery of medical services Posted by Yel Cobile, Contributing Correspondent, on January 7, 2013, 7:41 pm (By Sigfredo Ibay, SSS Administration, 2 Jan 2013) The Social Security System (SSS) simultaneously opened branch clinics in more than 50 strategic locations, including island provinces and far-flung SSS branches, across the country on January 7, 2013 to ensure effective delivery of medical services to members and SSS employees. SSS Medical Services Division Officer-in-Charge Dr. Leticia Ong said 54 branches nationwide has launched Physical Examination (PE) Centers manned by SSS doctors and furnished with basic medical equipment and supplies such as medicines for first aid. "The PE Centers will serve as hubs for SSS medical services that will conduct physical examination of members with sickness and disability claims. The Centers will also provide check-ups, consultations and other medical services to SSS employees and their dependents," she said. Ong said one to five SSS doctors are assigned in every PE Center, depending on the branch’s size and volume of transactions. The clinics were set up in isolated areas within SSS branches to offer members privacy and comfort during their physical examination and interview. "Sickness and disability claimants are often within hearing distance of other transacting members. With the new PE Centers, we address their need for privacy in discussing sensitive details about their health so that SSS doctors can better evaluate their medical condition," she said. Each PE Center has a waiting area and at least one examination table, which are enclosed with a curtain. The SSS will assess its implementation of PE Centers after six months and study the possibility of opening more SSS branch clinics by then, Ong said. New PE Centers at SSS branches in Diliman, Novaliches, Pasig-Shaw, Caloocan, Marikina, Antipolo, Manila, Makati-Gil Puyat, Makati-J.P. Rizal, Pasay-Roxas, Alabang, Taguig and Mandaluyong cater to members in the National Capital Region starting on January 7. At the same time, Luzon-based PE Centers were opened to members in Baguio, La Union, Tuguegarao, Laoag, Olongapo, Malolos, Pampanga, Cabanatuan, Tarlac, Dagupan, Calamba, Binan, Bacoor, San Pablo (Laguna), Lipa, Lucena, Puerto Princesa, Calapan, Naga and Legaspi. "Our branches in Cebu, Lapu-lapu, Tacloban, Ormoc, Calbayog, Maasin, Bohol, Bacolod, Iloilo, Dumaguete, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Valencia, Butuan, Surigao, Davao, Kidapawan, Tagum, General Santos, Dipolog and Zamboanga also have PE Centers for our members in the south," Ong said. Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0

2nd January 2013

SSS grants P2-B calamity relief to members and pensioners in 2012 Posted by Yel Cobile, Contributing Correspondent, on January 2, 2013, 5:29 pm (Sigfredo Ibay, SSS Administration, 2 Jan 2013) The Social Security System (SSS) has granted over P2 billion through its calamity relief programs to about 134,000 affected members and pensioners all over the country who benefited from the early renewal of SSS salary loans and advance release of three months’ worth of pensions in 2012. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. said the SSS disbursed over P2.1 billion to 108,300 calamity-hit members through the Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP), while 25,500 pensioners received advance pensions of P179.99 million in 2012. "We expect the number of beneficiaries of our calamity relief programs to further increase, after the SSS again offered the SLERP and advance release of pensions to help members and pensioners in areas recently battered by Typhoon Pablo," de Quiros said. Read more... Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0

26th December 2012

The Philippines Shows The World How To Celebrate Christmas Posted by Yel Cobile, Contributing Correspondent, on December 26, 2012, 9:06 am (By Sarah Brown CNN, 23 Dec 2012) Christmas celebrations in the Philippines are the longest ­ and most lavish ­ in the world. These beautifully lit trees in Makati City, Philippines were captured by iReporter Martin Javin. (CNN) --- Where would you find the most Christmas spirit in the world? It's hard to say for certain, but if a global competition were to be held, the Philippines would have an excellent shot at winning. The southeast Asian island nation has the world's longest festive season -- and pulls no punches in its celebratory zeal for the period, with lavish light displays, masses, and festivals held throughout the country from September until January. One of the most populous nations in Asia, the Philippines is an overwhelmingly Christian nation. Approximately 90% of Filipinos are Christian and 80% of those are Catholic, an influence gleaned from the country's period as a Spanish colony from the sixteenth century until the end of the nineteenth. As a result, while many countries concentrate on the commercial side of Christmas, Filipinos attend several masses throughout the Christmas season and faith forms an intrinsic part of celebrations. A traditionally Filipino event is Simbang Gabi, a series of masses held over nine nights culminating in Christmas Eve. It is believed that if you make a wish after completing the nine masses, it will come true. As early as September, when the dark nights come, it is not unusual to see a series of spectacular Christmas displays popping up in malls, parks and open spaces across the country. Student Christian Ian V. Bordo from Laguna province in the Philippines loves the beautiful 'parols', lights created by artisan Francisco Estanislao in 1928 and originally made of bamboo and paper that are hung up throughout towns and villages. "[The parols are] as important to Filipinos as the Christmas tree to Western culture -- without parols Christmas wouldn't be complete," he declared. "The lanterns were used by people to light their paths during the ritual Yuletide dawn masses called 'Misa de Gallo' [midnight mass], because electricity was unavailable at the time in many rural areas." Such lanterns are now more likely to glow with electronic lights, but the ethos remains the same -- a guiding light in the darkness for worshippers wanting to congregate and pray. The lanterns were used by people to light their paths ... because electricity was unavailable at the time in many rural areas Christian Bordo, iReporter To Stephanie Masalta, the striking lanterns are a comforting indication that Christmas is on its way and a fond reminder of how her community comes together every year to string up the beautiful lights. "Even I cannot help myself from smiling whenever I pass by that street and think of how devoted Filipinos are in celebrating Christmas," said Masalta, who lives in San Pedro, Laguna. "This happens only once a year, so residents combine their efforts to put them up." Student Martin Jarmin from Los Baños, Laguna, says the light displays in his town's local gardens regularly dazzle residents. "The lighting of the park during the Christmas season is done yearly and now became a huge attraction to people not only from [my] area, but from the outside, too," he said. Decorations can also inspire a competitive spirit. Student Miaflor Tatlonghari said that in some local villages, they organize contests for the most beautiful Christmas decorations. The tree set up by her home in Santa Rosa City was at least 30 ft tall - and larger ones are not uncommon. Martin Jarmin also mentioned another Christmas tradition of which Philippines residents are fond -- gathering together to make and enjoy food specifically made for the Christmas season. For example, Christmas Eve, or Noche Buena, is traditionally when families come together to host a large festive meal. The celebration is well known in Spain and Latin America and stems from the nation's colonial past. In addition to the aforementioned Christmas Eve dinner, scores of delicious, and often highly unusual, dishes are prepared for Filipinos to gorge themselves on. These include puto bumbong, glutinous purple rice stuffed into bamboo tubes with butter, sugar and coconut, and keso de bola, balls of cheese with red waxy coverings. I cannot help myself from smiling whenever I pass by that street and think of how devoted Filipinos are in celebrating Christmas Stephanie Masalta, iReporter iReporter Mae Anne Alejandrino from Cabuyao in Laguna province loves the mouth-watering Christmas delicacies from food stall sellers who set up beside an enormous display of Christmas lights, showcasing the dizzying breadth and variety of Filipino cuisine. "At Christmas, we cook our own barbeque and hotdogs and buy several kinds of rice cake called 'bibingka'," she said. "We Filipinos would always decorate our center table with colorful fruits and rice cakes. We would also prepare fruit or 'buko' [a type of young coconut] salads for dessert. But amidst the festivities, some iReporters felt it important to send in reminders of those who face a more austere Christmas. iReporter Janoah Ami Soriano's poignant images showed the plight of children forced to leave their homes after a series of deadly typhoons caused severe flooding in August in some parts of the country. Having lost most of their belongings, many relied on Catholic charities to provide them with some Christmas spirit. "I saw that the parents were more excited to receive presents than the kids and the moment was heart-melting," he said. "Helping others is a tradition in the Philippines at Christmas, especially those who are really in need." His touching iReport is a reminder for those celebrating Christmas -- in the Philippines and beyond -- that many of us have much to be thankful for this holiday season. Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0

13th December 2012

SSS releases P10-B for December and 13th month pensions Posted by Yel Cobile, Contributing Correspondent, on December 13, 2012, 8:39 pm (By Sigfredo Ibay, SSS Administration, 13 Dec 2012) The Social Security System (SSS) has disbursed a total of P9.88 billion for December and 13th month pensions for about 1.6 million SSS pensioners, who were granted double the amount of their regular pensions this month to make their year-end holiday celebrations more meaningful. This was disclosed by SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr., who said a total of P9.81 billion were credited to the savings accounts of 1.63 million pensioners, while P63.60 million more in pension checks were sent to 12,062 pensioners through mail. "We disbursed an additional P210.84 million to 54,782 pensioners who benefited from our Special Pension Run on November 20, so that they too can receive their December and 13th month pensions in time for the Christmas season," he said. "We also wrote to banks last month requesting them to release the 13th month pension within the first week of December." SSS’ processing of pensions, called "Pension Runs", are done every 5th day of the month for the pensions of succeeding month. Thus, the December and 13th month pensions were processed last November 5 and the corresponding funds were disbursed to SSS-partner banks two weeks before December. De Quiros noted that the SSS now holds a Special Pension Run every 20th day of the month, which is primarily aimed at processing the resumption of suspended pensions for those who complied with the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP) past their designated schedule. "We introduced the Special Pension Run this year to accommodate pensioners who comply with the ACOP after the 5th day of the month. With the additional pension run, their suspended pensions are reinstated in the month immediately after their ACOP compliance, unlike before when they had to wait for at least two months before their pensions were resumed," he added. De Quiros also encouraged pensioners to mark in their 2013 calendars their ACOP schedule, which is the official date of the retirement, disability or death of the member, to facilitate the continuous release of their pensions. The ACOP, which was enhanced and re-launched this year, aims to ensure that only the rightful beneficiaries receive SSS pensions for disability, retirement or death. Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0

4th December 2012

SSS offers higher loans, more flexible terms under new guidelines Posted by Yel Cobile, Contributing Correspondent, on December 4, 2012, 9:17 pm (By Sugfredo Ibay, 4 Dec 2012, SSS Administration)  Members of the Social Security System (SSS) can look forward to higher salary loan amounts and more flexible terms under the agency’s revised lending guidelines that took effect on December 1, 2012. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. said the new guidelines, which were approved by SSS’ governing board called the Social Security Commission (SSC) last April 18, 2012, aim to align the SSS salary loan program with prevailing market conditions. "Amid the current low interest rates, the SSS relaxed its lending terms and conditions that result in a higher maximum loanable amount, bigger net loan proceeds, lower computation of interest payments and earlier loan renewals for members," de Quiros noted. The SSS deferred the guidelines’ implementation to prepare its computerized loan system for the changes and to avoid disrupting the processing of members’ applications for the Loan Penalty Condonation Program, which was open for availment from April 2 to September 30, 2012. Under the new salary loan guidelines, members can file for renewal if they have already paid at least 50 percent of the principal loan amount and at least half of the two-year loan term has lapsed. In the past, members can only renew their loan if the outstanding balance is P500 or lower. De Quiros said that while loanable amount remains based on the average of the members’ latest 12 posted monthly salary credits (MSC), the new guidelines provide a maximum salary loan of P30,000, higher than SSS’ previous cap of P24,000. "Members paying at the current P15,000 maximum MSC become entitled to the full amount of a two-month salary loan, which is now P30,000. As added flexibility, members can indicate how much they want to borrow as long as it is within their loanable amount," he added. The loan shall be amortized over a 24-month period and the 10 percent annual loan interest will apply to the diminishing principal balance. Moreover, the first year’s 10 percent interest shall no longer be deducted in advance, which translates to bigger net loan proceeds. In an earlier statement, the SSS cited the lack of basis on allegations of loan overcharging and said it adheres to accepted policies on credit-granting. The SSC resolution issued in 2000 and amended in 2004 served as SSS’ guide in administering its salary loan program for the past several years. "Since there is no ground on overcharging, there is also no basis on the giving of refunds to borrowers," de Quiros said. "The SSS is open to queries so that we can make clarifications for the benefit of members and stakeholders." Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0

2nd October 2012

Over 600 firms criminally charged for SSS violations Posted by Yel Cobile, Contributing Correspondent, on October 2, 2012, 9:38 am (By Sigfredo Ibay, SSS Administration, 2 Oct 2012) The Social Security System (SSS) filed criminal charges against over 600 companies during the first half of 2012 for violations such as failure to register workers for SSS coverage, refusal to cooperate with SSS account officers and non-remittance of contributions. SSS Assistant Vice President for Operations Legal Department Atty. Santiago Agdeppa said 494 out of the 606 employers charged during the period were for failure to remit monthly premiums amounting to P209.34 million, including penalties of more than P118 million. "We continue to intensify legal measures to compel employers to fulfill their responsibilities under the law. As a result, the number of companies sued by SSS grew by 17 percent as compared with the 518 companies charged in the first half of 2011," Agdeppa noted. Under the Social Security Act of 1997, delinquent employers face six to 12 years in prison and a maximum fine of P20,000. They are also charged with a stiff monthly penalty of three percent on overdue contributions of employees. Agdeppa revealed that the state-run agency collected P155.63 million from January to June 2012 from employers that settled their delinquencies after the SSS initiated legal actions against them such as issuance of demand letters and filing of cases. "Non-remittance of contributions is the most common violation of employers, accounting for four out of every five cases filed by SSS. We also sued 109 firms for failure to register their workers for SSS coverage and refusal to present company records to SSS authorities," he said. The law requires employers to report workers to SSS within 30 days from start of employment and to promptly remit monthly contributions of employees. Employers are also required by law to present their records for inspection by SSS or its authorized representatives. "To safeguard against unscrupulous employers, we encourage employees to monitor the remittance of their SSS payments by registering at our website at www.sss.gov.ph," Agdeppa urged. "Employees can file a complaint against delinquent employers at their nearest SSS branch. They may remain anonymous in filing their complaints, but what is important is that they inform SSS so we can immediately start to investigate." Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0

6th September 2012

SSS net earnings rise 42 percent to P18.7-B in 1st half of 2012 Posted by Yel Cobile, Contributing Correspondent, on September 6, 2012, 8:15 pm (By Sigfredo Ibay, SSS Administration, 5 Sep 2012) The Social Security System (SSS) reached a net revenue of P18.69 billion in the first six months of 2012, higher by 42 percent than its P13.14 billion net income in the first half of 2011, due to higher earnings from contributions and investments that complemented its measures to ensure efficient spending. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. noted that steps to maximize branch resources and improve system efficiency helped slow down operating expenses to P3.57 billion, which was five percent less than P3.75 billion spent within the first half of last year. "Our online and electronic inquiry facilities have helped free our branch personnel from attending to numerous over-the-counter queries, and instead focus more on attending to members’ claims. The enhanced SSS website, Text-SSS and the SSS Facebook page have allowed members to transact and inquire virtually, rather than coming to the branches personally for simple queries," he noted. Read more... Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0

4th September 2012

SSS widens reach of microsavings program for informal sector workers Posted by Yel Cobile, Contributing Correspondent, on September 4, 2012, 7:43 pm (By Sigfredo Ibay, SSS Administration, 3 Sep 2012) The Social Security System (SSS) has attracted thousands of informal sector workers to register or revive their active membership under a microsavings program that offers convenient remittance of contributions and ensures their access to affordable social protection. Called "AlkanSSSya", the program currently has a total of 34 participating organizations that represent about 18,600 workers in the National Capital Region and Luzon. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. related the positive reactions of informal sector workers who joined AlkanSSSya through their workers association. "Members said that joining the program made them feel more secure and they likened themselves to regular employees enjoying the same SSS benefits," de Quiros said. "We specifically designed the AlkanSSSya program to fit their way of life and to make saving for monthly SSS premiums as affordable as only P10 a day." Read more... Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0