MANILA – The Social Security System (SSS) has partnered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) to ensure cooperatives and their members receive social security protection.

In a statement Tuesday, the SSS said it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with CDA on Oct. 20 to formalize the partnership.

The MOU signing coincides with the celebration of National Cooperative Month, as declared under Republic Act 11502 which promotes the conduct of activities and programs uplifting the principles and values of cooperatives and encouraging cooperative movement.

The SSS, through the MOU, will conduct orientation and awareness campaigns regarding SSS membership and cooperative accreditation in various discussions that the CDA would organize.

Apart from membership program information, the SSS also will provide assistance in the registration of the cooperatives’ members and remittance of their contributions; access to SSS’s list of benefits and privileges through various e-services; an avenue to create, develop, improve and implement programs and policies for their welfare.

“On the other hand, the CDA will assist the SSS in raising awareness about the value of SSS membership for cooperatives and their members by collaborating with the SSS on different venues and opportunities to conduct coverage campaigns, including social security programs as one of the topics during CDA briefings, assemblies, and council meetings, and linking the SSS to various cooperatives nationwide,” the agency said.

The CDA will also assist the SSS in the formulation of policies to improve access to social security protection for cooperatives and their members, it added. (PNA)