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 last April 12 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 to 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’s 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.

Photo shows SSS Senior Vice President for Luzon Operations Group Atty. Antonio Argabioso discussing the value of SSS membership in front of the officers of ISPPO at Camp Elpidio R. Quirino, Bulag Bantay, Ilocos Sur. Also in the dialogue were SSS Senior Vice President Mario Sibucao of the Office of the Executive Vice President for Branch Operations, SSS Vice President for Luzon North 1 Division Ceasar Saludo, SSS Public Affairs and Special Events Division Concurrent Acting Head Carlo Villacorta, Account Management Group Concurrent Acting Head Atty. Neil Hernaez and SSS Candon Acting Branch Head Arvi Resultay.

03 May 2023