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Tuesday, July 16, 2013

SSS’s “AlkanSSSya Program” to cover informal sectors

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)