SSS steps up drive to reach out to non-members

By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Social Security System (SSS), now on its 57^th year, is intensifying its marketing campaign using its own members’ voices to invite those who are not yet members to sign up and avail of its benefits.

“Buti na lang, May SSS” is the slogan derived from the members’ own experiences and appreciation for its several social protection benefits. 

In this campaign, the SSS presents the experiences of its members like Rubylyn Reclusado, a market vendor in Vigan. Rubylyn was initially hesitant to be a member since she felt that she did not have enough money for the monthly contributions.

“Dagdag gastos lang yan,” (that’s just an additional expense), she was quoted as saying on the SSS 57^th Anniversary Supplement. While many ordinary folks share this same sentiment, Rubylyn had realized that a little savings can go a long way.

When she was about to give birth to a second child, Rubylyn learned that she needed a caesarian operation, of which cost seemed to be overwhelming. Being a member through the AlkanSSSya program with fellow market vendors, she was able to claim a maternity benefit in the amount of P7,800. It was not enough to cover all expenses, but Rubylyn said that “it was definitely better than nothing.”

Rubylyn deposited P11 every day in a communal “piggy bank” with other market vendors until she would come up with P330 personal savings for the whole month.

SSS Western Mindanao senior communications analyst Napoleon Rabanal explains that this campaign “depicts the voice of the members where they show gratitude to the system because they have benefited from it”.

The Buti campaign has been encouraging membership from all sectors including tricycle and jeepney drivers, farmers, fishermen and even prison detainees, which now account for 83,757 members nationwide. On the other hand, a partnership agreement inked by the SSS with DSWD and DILG has resulted to the membership of 4,844 contractual and job order workers from the two agencies.

“We want to acknowledge our members’ appreciation and in doing so, (we are showing) those who are not yet members that being a member has lots of advantages especially in times of contingencies,” Rabanal explained.

For those who are not yet members, they may visit the SSS Zamboanga City Office in Veterans Avenue from Mondays to Saturdays, 8am-5pm for more information on membership and the benefits. 
Forms can also be downloaded online at www.sss.gov.ph.