By Felipo David Malcampo
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Through the so
–called “AlkanSSSya Program,” organized informal sectors can now be members of
the Social Security System (SSS).
AlkanSSSya Program is a micro-saving scheme
in which individual members of an association can drop by any time of the day
to deposit some token amount in their respective thrift coin boxes to be
accounted for every end of the month.
The P312 minimum monthly SSS contribution of
each member will then be remitted to the designated bank. Each member shall
receive through the association a copy of the payment return form together with
a report from the SSS showing the remitted/posted in the database.
In an interview, SSS AVP for Western
Mindanao, Atty. Rodrigo B. Filoteo disclosed that the first launching of the
AlkanSSSya Program in the region was held last June 26 covering107 members of
the Samahang Operator’s Driver’s Association (SODA) under the state-run pension
fund.
Filoteo explained that the informal sector
groups include pedicap and tricycle drivers, market vendors, massage
attendants, commercial sex workers, boatmen, independent farmers and others,
who may be covered under the AlkanSSSya Program through their respective
association or aggrupation. The proper implementation of the program is spelled
out in details in a memorandum of agreement between the association and SSS,”
Filoteo added.
The thrift coin boxes look similar to the
windows of safe deposits found in banks. However, these thrift boxes only have
slit openings at the front side, just enough to slip the coins, with the name
of the member/depositor just below the slit.
In a separate interview, SSS Zamboanga Branch
Head Ms. Elizabeth Cabatingan confirmed that informal sector members under the
AlkanSSSya Program have the same benefits and privileges as other regular
members.
Cabatingan revealed that the SSS aims to
cover as many informal sectors so they too can avail of social security. “A
group of porters in Zamboanga will soon be under the program,” she added.
She also disclosed that a market vendors
association with 160 members in Isabela City, Basilan already joined the
Program.
In Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay, the
AlkanSSSya Program launching and MOA signing is set for July 26, Cabatingan
said, adding “a similar activity will be held in the cities of Dipolog and
Pagadian sometime in August this year.” (PIA9)