Pensioners’ Day caps SSS 58th Anniversary celebration

By Alma L. Tingcang

IMELDA, Zamboanga Sibugay – A total of 115 pensioners of the Social Security System participated in the Pensioners’ Day hosted bySSS Ipil Branch held at Ati-Atihan, Imelda, this province.

Rudy M. Lacandalo, SSS Ipil branch head said the activity was one of the highlights of the 58^th Anniversary of SSS.

“This is our way of paying tribute to our pensioners who worked hard during their younger years,” Atty. Rodrigo B. Filoteo, Asst. Vice President for Western Mindanao said.

Filoteo also mentioned a possible pension increase of P2,000 across the board; the implementation of PESO fund; a voluntary provident fund for members; and increase in funeral benefits up to P40,000 from the previous P20,000, among others.

SSS pensioners enjoyed the day which was full of surprises, replete with parlor games and raffle draw. They were treated to a sumptuous lunch and came home with grocery packs.

Special awards were given to the Early Bird won by Henry Bation, Oldest Pensioner and September birthday celebrators. Pensioners who rendered intermission numbers such assinging,Tula, and Balak were also given awards.

Meanwhile, Lacandalo said the AlkanSSSya program is still ongoing. “The informal sector groups can join through this program by just dropping P12 a day in their assigned coin slots or P330/ month,” he explained. At the end of the month, these savings will be counted and remitted to the SSS as their contribution.

“We have three associations in the province who have joined the AlkanSSSya Program: Kabasalan Business Association, Ipil Market Vendors Association and Ipil Federation of Tricycle Drivers Association,” according to Lacandalo.

SSS Ipil also partnered with various government agencies and LGUs in the province for possible enrolment of non-regular employees or Job Order employees as self-employed through salary deduction.

It has linked with Ipil-Titay Water District, Naga Daycare Workers Association and the local government units (LGUs) of Sirawai, Tungawan, Kabasalan, Diplahan, Alicia, Mabuhay, and the provincial government of Zamboanga Sibugay.

For more information and updates, you may tune in to their radio program over DXIR FM every 2^nd and last Friday of the month.

Over the years, SSS has continuously improved its service delivery, expanded Social security coverage of its members and has provided more meaningful benefits to members and beneficiaries.