DA to subsidize farmers’ SSS contributions

MANILA, Philippines - The Social Security System (SSS) has forged an agreement with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the full subsidy of farmers’ monthly SSS contributions.

Expected to benefit from this initiative are 200,000 agricultural workers who are members of Rural Based Organizations (RBOs) or Community Extension Workers (CEWs)  and in good standing.

The subsidies will be based on P3,000 monthly salary credit, which is equivalent to a contribution of P330 per month.

The DA-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) Regional Offices will remit the contributions to SSS quarterly via bank deposits as well as submit a regular payment list showing the beneficiaries of the monthly subsidies.

The chosen beneficiaries have the option to increase their monthly contribution on top of the subsidized amount to become entitled to higher SSS benefits and loans in the future.

The SSS has already selected an initial batch of 100 farmers to qualify under the program.

The agreement is part of the government’s continuing campaign to extend social protection to informal sector workers.

Apart from farmers, fishermen will also be added to the list of beneficiaries for the subsidized SSS contributions.

At present, over 450,000 farmers and fisherfolk are covered by SSS as self-employed members.

The SSS noted that many farmers and fisherfolk lack social security coverage and face difficulties in remitting regular contributions.

The DA-ATI, with RBOs and CEWs as its partners, implements extension and training activities to promote state-initiated food sufficiency programs and other priority thrusts of the DA.