TACLOBAN CITY — Thousands of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in Eastern Visayas will be encouraged to build financial protection through a savings and social insurance program launched by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Social Security System (SSS).
The DSWD regional office officially launched the 4Ps AlkanSSSya Program on Aug. 18 in Tacloban City, providing beneficiaries with an opportunity to become self-employed SSS members and gain access to social insurance benefits.
The initiative is a joint effort of the DSWD and SSS to make social insurance more accessible to 4Ps beneficiaries and help strengthen their long-term financial security.
The launch was attended by DSWD Assistant Regional Director for Operations Artemio Bautista, 4Ps Management Division Chief Paula Unay, Tacloban City Links, other DSWD personnel and 4Ps beneficiaries from Barangays 62, 62-B and 64.
James Po, Corporate Executive Officer II of the SSS Tacloban Branch, introduced the AlkanSSSya Program during the activity, while Social Security Officer III Crestian Jaca conducted the orientation and explained the enrollment process.
SSS personnel also provided technical assistance to beneficiaries in enrolling and updating their SSS accounts.
Under the program, beneficiaries are encouraged to set aside small amounts from their personal earnings daily or weekly. The savings are pooled through organized groups, such as Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations, and remitted to the SSS monthly.
Enrolled beneficiaries are registered with the SSS as self-employed members and are required to pay their premiums using income from their livelihoods.
The 4Ps cash grants cannot be used to pay SSS premiums because these are intended by law for health, education and rice subsidies.
By maintaining active SSS membership, beneficiaries can access the standard benefits available to SSS members, providing them with financial assistance during qualifying contingencies.
The program will be rolled out in municipalities across Eastern Visayas as part of efforts to promote financial literacy, expand social protection and help vulnerable families withstand financial shocks without falling back into poverty.
(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)
