ILOILO – Good news to the 523 contractual employees of the provincial government. They are now covered by Social Security System (SSS).
A memorandum of agreement (MOA) for this was signed by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and SSS acting division head for West Visayas, Angelo Blancaver, on Aug. 22.
The MOA covers 65 contracts of service (COS), 321 job order support services (JOSS), and 137 job order (JO) personnel who are not qualified for Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) coverage.
“We hope to continue our partnership with the Iloilo provincial government in bringing social protection closer to the people of Iloilo,” Blancaver said.
All provincial government COS, JOSS, and JO personnel will be registered with SSS under the self-employed status.
The province will automatically deduct the monthly SSS contribution from the salaries, wages, and/or fees of its COS, JOSS, and JO personnel.
The provincial government shall assign a liaison officer for SSS, while SSS will assign an account officer to manage the provincial government account and assist in implementing the agreement.
SSS provides death, funeral, maternity leave, permanent disability, retirement, sickness, and involuntary separation or unemployment benefits to its members.
Members who had an illness, an accident during work-related activities, or died are also entitled to the Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program, which provides double compensation.
Further, SSS members can also make salary or calamity loans. (With a report from the Capitol News)/PN
