SSS to implement reforms in 2018

MANILA, Philippines — The Social Security Commission (SSC) has laid out various reforms to be implemented in 2018, which it said would be beneficial to more than 35 million members and pensioners of the Social Security System (SSS).

In a statement, the SSC, the policy making body of the SSS, said it approved Wednesday various reforms slated for implementation next year.

SSS will implement by January 2018 the real-time posting of members’ contribution payments through SSS tellering facilities and other payment channels.

“The SSC approved the implementation of the electronic collection system (e-CS) to facilitate the real time posting of contribution payments in SSS tellering facilities by Jan. 16 of next year,” the council said.

The SSC said it is also looking into the establishment of e-services to facilitate payment of contribution through online or internet banking.

Apart from this, the SSC is also considering to allow pre-employment registration, which will ease the registration process for new entrants into the work force.

“The SSC is looking at this pre-employment registration wherein even individuals who are still in secondary schools may be able to have their SS number already, years before they are ready to enter the work force. In this case, employers will no longer have the inconvenience of registering them into the system,” the SSC said.

Meanwhile, the council also identified the priority programs it will focus on for next year.

These include the creation of the Overseas Filipino Workers Care Council to connect OFWs to the SSS for updates on payments, the accelerated development of SSS prime properties through joint ventures, which is projected to yield 10 to 12 percent return on investment, and the enforcement of collection through Warrant of Distraint, Levy and Garnishment.

The SSC said its pensioners can also expect to receive their 13th month pay

It is also pursuing anti-corruption initiatives in support of President Duterte’s programs.

SSC said the four officials currently under probe for allegedly trading stocks using information from an SSS-accredited stockbroker “will have their day in court.”

It also welcomed the planned Congressional probe to be led by Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, as well as the participation of other government agencies to ensure complete and thorough investigation on the matter.