THE STATE-RUN Social Security System (SSS) on Tuesday said it allocated more than P863 million for a relief assistance program, which is now available to its members and pensioners affected by the massive flooding brought by the Southwest Monsoon enhanced by typhoons Henry, Inday and Josie last July.
SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel F. Dooc said the agency opened its Calamity Assistance Package (CAP) to provide financial aid to its more than 61,000 affected members and pensioners.
The package offers a loan assistance program and an option for pensioners to advance their three months’ worth of pension.
“It is our duty to protect and assist our members in times of contingencies. We hope that this program will help them in their finances and acquire their basic necessities,” Dooc said.
SSS members and pensioners who are residing in calamity-stricken areas declared under state of calamity by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) are qualified under the CAP, said the SSS chief.
NDRRMC-declared calamity areas were the province of Pangasinan; Paombong, Bulacan; Calumpit, Bulacan; Marilao, Bulacan; Hagonoy, Bulacan; Licab, Nueva Ecija; Olonggapo City; Ramos, Tarlac; Anao, Tarlac; Camaling, Tarlac; La Paz, Tarlac; Moncada, Tarlac; Masantol, Pampanga; San Luis, Pampanga; Province of Bataan; San Jose De Buenvista, Antique; Province of Cavite; Brgy. Kalayaan, Angono, Rizal; Province of Occidental Mindoro; Asipulo, Ifugao; Brgy Bimpal, Lamut, Ifugao; Brgy Nayon, Lamut, Ifugao; and Marikina City.
Dooc said P363 million was set aside to cover potential loan exposure while around P500 million was the potential exposure for the advance threemonth pension.
To qualify for SSS calamity loans, a member whose home address or property is in a declared calamity area must have a minimum of 36 monthly contributions, six of which should be paid within the 12-month period preceding the date of application.
However, members who availed of the SSS Loan Restructuring Program and those with final benefit claims, such as for total permanent disability and retirement, are excluded from the program.
Applicants under the advance three-month pension, meanwhile, whose present address is different from the address in the SSS database should submit a barangay certification to prove that they reside in a declared calamity area.
The availment period for the assistance package is until Nov. 12, 2018.
For more information, members and pensioners can visit the nearest SSS branch, contact the SSS Call Center hotline at 920-6446 to 55, or send an email to member_relations@ sss.gov.ph. The application forms are downloadable from the SSS website at www.sss.gov.ph.
