SSS covers over half a million more JOs, COs in gov’t

OVER half a million government workers under job order (JO) and contract of service (COS) workers employment status not covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) can now enjoy social security protection thanks to the Social Security System (SSS) membership expansion program started by SSS President and Chief Executive Officer (PCEO) Rolando Ledesma Macasaet.

SSS Executive Vice President for Branch Operations Sector Voltaire P. Agas said the new SSS members would not only improve the financial standing of the state pension fund but also fulfill further its mandate to provide social security protection to as many Filipinos as possible.

Agas said Macasaet decided to include temporary government workers in SSS coverage through the KaSSSangga Collect Program as they were not covered by GSIS programs.

“We are sad to hear their stories that, after decades of public service, they have zero savings and do not receive any pension when they retire, Macasaet was quoted as saying. “Through the KaSSSangga Collect Program, temporary public workers will be registered as self-employed members while their respective organizations shall collect and remit their contributions to the SSS, thereby helping them to become eligible for Social Security and Employees’ Compensation benefits.’

Among the many government agencies that entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOU) with SSS under the KaSSSangga Collect Program were the Quezon City District 2 of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). This MOU will cover over 200 of their JO and COS workers, who are mostly street sweepers.

Agas said that the largest membership coverage was recorded in Quezon City with around 15,000 JOs after SSS PCEO Macasaet and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte signed an agreement last January 29, 2024. Prior to the SSS-QC Government partnership, the pension fund has already sealed agreements with the Local Government of Mandaluyong, Taguig and Malabon in 2023.

“As they are exposed to various health hazards while performing their duties, the more these workers deserve social security protection regardless of their employment status in the government,” Agas added.

Agas said more government agencies employing JO workers are expected to join the KaSSSangga Collect Program. In January 2024 alone, Agas said SSS had sealed partnerships with 32 government institutions in the National Capital Region.

Likewise, an additional 74 program partners from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao also joined the agreements which secured the SSS membership of 2,251 temporary government workers, he added.