State-run Social Security System (SSS) is pushing for social security protection among barangay officials and kagawads nationwide.
During a discussion at the Liga ng Mga Barangay National Congress last August, SSS president and chief executive officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said he hoped that this nation-scale drive would be able to serve around 42,000 community leaders.
Macasaet said that in return for their SSS membership, barangay chiefs would receive a lifetime monthly pension once they retire from public service.
“Many of our barangay officials and workers serve their constituents for 10 or 20 years. However, when they retire from public service, they do not get any separation pay or monthly pension. Now, through the SSS membership, we are offering you an opportunity to get a monthly pension when you retire from being a barangay official,” Macasaet said.
The SSS chief also explained that in order to benefit from the pension fund, one must secure an SS number and pay their monthly contributions. According to him, at least 120 monthly premiums to claim their monthly pension soon after retirement.
“Even if you pay your monthly SSS contributions intermittently, that is fine. If you continue to pay until you reach at least 120 monthly contributions, you will have a pension for life,” he added.
Barangay officials were also encouraged to consider this membership as a future investment, as Macasaet explained that sickness, maternity, disability, unemployment, funeral, and death benefits can also be claimed aside from retirement gains.
“They can also take advantage of various SSS loan programs, such as salary and calamity, and get additional coverage form the Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program for work-related sickness or injury resulting in disability or death,” he said.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has advocated for a Magna Carta for barangay leaders to the House of Representatives. This push would empower local government units (LGUs) to apportion funds for barangay heads’ SSS contributions.
Romualdez and Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino A. Dy V proposed a bill to allow LGUs to pay the monthly premiums on behalf of their barangay chiefs.
“This move shows how much President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. cares for the country’s barangay leaders,” Macasaet lauded.
To push the initiative further, SSS executive vice president for branch operations Voltaire P. Agas reported 50 laptops manned by their personnel to help community leaders get their SS numbers.
“We put up an SSS booth in the National Congress to assist barangay officials in their SSS transactions such as applying for SS and employer numbers or verifying their contribution or loan records,” Agas said.
Barangay officials also held online social security services like managing their Ms.SSS account, updating any contact and personal information, generating payment reference number, enrolling disbursement accounts, and filing of any benefit claims and loans.