SAN FERNANDO CITY (PIA) — The Social Security System (SSS) launched its new programs for informal economy workers, particularly the flexible payment schedule and the Contribution Subsidy Provider Program (CSPP), in a Stakeholders’ Forum held on Tuesday at the Awesome Hotel in San Juan, La Union. 
 
The flexible payment schedule would allow members, who are in the informal economy, to pay their contributions for any of the last 12 months.
 
“Ang thrust po ng SSS is to expand the said workers kasi sila po ang mas nangangailangan ng social protection.  ‘Yong farmers, every after harvest lang sila kumikita, kumbaga, seasonal. So ngayon, sa tulong ng scheme na ito ay pwedeng magbayad  one year back or one year forward para ma-cover lang ang inyong SSS benefits,” said Michael Regino, SSS president and chief executive officer, as he graced the event.
 
“Marami ng nag-avail ng programang ito. Pinagbibigyan po natin dito ‘yong members gaya ng self-employed na ang kanilang source of income is not regular, kaya tulungan natin sila,” Regino added. 

He said, “Sa ating CSPP naman, ang ating ahensiya  po ay makikipagkasundo sa mga  potential contribution subsidy providers kabilang ang private and government agencies na kung saan, sila ang magbabayad  on behalf of selected self-employed workers together with voluntary members of the SSS, and land-based overseas Filipino workers.”
 
He said minimum period of subsidy on CSPP requires six consecutive  months.
 
Moreover, he reiterated that self-employed SSS members are entitled to social security benefits such as sickness, maternity, retirement, disability, funeral, and death. 
 
Said members  are also qualified for loan programs which include salary, calamity, and educational assistance.
 
In addition, the forum tackled the Workers’ Investment and Savings Program (WISP) which provides safe, convenient, principal-protected, and tax-free individual retirement savings plan for  active SSS members contributing  a monthly salary credit that exceeds P20,000.
 
The SSS also discussed the ongoing digitalization of its other programs and  services to cater its members and employers.
 
“Ang programa po ng SSS ay para sa lahat, kaya may programa po tayo na we are doing everything online at i-digitize na natin,” said Regino.
 
The SSS assures members that  the agency contributions serve as savings to count on through difficult times.
 
The La Union leg of SSS Stakeholders’ Forum was participated in by more than 180 members from private agencies. (JCR/AMB/KJCR, PIA La Union)