DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, May 22 (PIA) -- The state-run Social Security System (SSS) here has confirmed that former New People's Army (NPA) rebels will soon benefit its social insurance program through contribution subsidy provisions.

As part of the Task Force Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), Dr. Lilani Benedian, vice-president for Visayas West, said that the agency would like to be part of government’s efforts by providing them social protection as they rebuild their lives in the community.

Benedian said the setup was formed during a dialogue early this year between the SSS and Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office (ISPPO) to facilitate social security coverage of former rebels.

The national social security commission level has also considered the active participation of its branch offices in Dumaguete City and Kabankalan City in the provincial ELCAC program implementation.

With this, the insurance agency is inviting corporations as well as local government units or individuals who want to share for the contribution as subsidy provider so that the rebel returnees’ protection is assured. 

It is noted that that government and non-government entities can be part of the contribution subsidy provider program to sustain social security coverage of the former rebels.

For now, Benedian said her office will coordinate with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the numbers of returnees or former rebels in the province.

The agency also expects DILG to be one of the sponsors so that they can now start the subsidy program.

Once becoming an SSS active member, the beneficiaries will be qualified for sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death and funeral programs and be eligible for certain loan privileges.

They will also be entitled to employee's compensation benefits for work-related contingencies. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)