Dumaguete JOs, casuals to benefit from SSS deal

CEBU, Philippines - The Social Security System and the city government of Dumaguete have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) yesterday so that job order and casual plantilla employees will be enrolled as SSS members and reap future benefits and privileges.

Doctor Lilani Benedian, SSS officer-in-charge vice president for Visayas West I Division covering Negros island,said under the agreement, job order and casual plantilla employees of local government units will become self-employed members in the absence of an employer-employee relationship with the city.

The agreement stipulates that Dumaguete will not be paying a single centavo for the job orders and casuals, but they are the ones saving for their own SSS premiums through automatic deductions, the amount of which is subject to the authority given by the concerned employee.

Benedian disclosed that even if these job orders and casuals are not anymore working with the city government, they can continue paying their premiums. 

If they stop due to lack of resources, it will be recorded only as gaps, and they can resume paying again if resources are available as voluntary members.

SSS branch manager Lynlee Lu Dato said after the MOA signing that the first automatic deduction will be on September 15 and the second is on September 30 next month.

The contribution will vary depending on how much is being signified by the concerned JOs and casuals but the minimum is P330 per month.

The local branch manager had earlier preferred that the monthly premiums depend on the monthly take-home pay of the JOs and casuals. However, this is voluntary and they are aware that the benefits and privileges will also depend on the amount of monthly contribution.

Aside from Dumaguete, six other local government units in the province had signed a similar memorandum with the municipalities of Sta. Catalina, Sibulan, San Jose, Amlan, Valencia, and Bayawan city. (FREEMAN)