THE SOCIAL Security System-Davao signed a memorandum of agreement with local government units to enroll job order employees who fall under the self-employed category and ensure that they receive benefits provided by the program.
KaltaSSS Collect Program offers automatic salary deduction from the payroll of the JO, which their respective employers remit to SSS on their behalf.
During the Kapihan sa PIA at NCCC Victoria Plaza on Sept. 1, SSS-Davao acting regional communications officer Greta Fe Quayle said that JOs not covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) are eligible to become active SSS members and may receive employees’ compensation benefit for work-related contingencies.
“Meaning ana, kintahay namatay sila while doing their jobs, doble iyang dawaton nga death benefit, one from SSS and one from employee’s compensation basta ma-establish nga ang death nag occur during nagtrabaho sya (If they died on the job, they will receive double-death benefits, one from SSS and one from employee’s compensation, as long as it is established that the death occurred while they were working),” Quayle said.
Quayle revealed there are 13 Kasangga members in the region consisting of LGUs, government agencies, and barangay functionaries. Two of which are barangays from the city namely Barangay 16-C and Tomas Monteverde.
The official said there are other barangays who resist being registered as they only receive a small honorarium due to the small IRA, which cannot afford to pay the P570 monthly deduction.
Meanwhile, there are more than 1,000 JOs from Southern Philippines Medical Center enrolled in the program, she added.
SSS-Davao is eyeing to enroll the Technical Education And Skills Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Philippine National Police.
Delinquent employers told to pay obligations
Meanwhile, Quayle told remaining delinquent employers to settle their obligations as the agency continues with its Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) program this year.
“Ngano man na mas mosugot mo na magbayad tag penalty kaysa kung limpyohon nato atong account? Kanang gibayad nato nga penalty, i-add nalang nato na sa bayronon sa atong employees (Why must you agree to pay a penalty rather clear our accounts? Rather than paying the penalty, we will just add it to the remittance of our employees instead),” Quayle said.
In cases when an employee contingency arises, such as sudden death, the employer has to pay the first five-year guaranteed pension to the deceased member. Apart from that, the employer also has to pay a penalty for damages on unpaid contributions.
An employee may also file a complaint if the employer fails to remit the amount deducted from their salary. They are advised to file a sworn statement at the nearest office along with their proof of employment, which will trigger an investigation by an account officer.
Photo courtesy of PNA
