MANILA, Philippines – Nasa 1.5 milyong freelancer at virtual assistant ang eligible nang makapag-register bilang self-employed Social Security System (SSS) members sa ilalim ng bagong kasunduan sa pagitan ng SSS at Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
Ayon kay SSS President at Chief Executive Officer Victor Alfonso Limlingan, mahalaga ang tungkulin ng mga freelancer at virtual assistants.
“By bringing them into the SSS coverage, we ensure that they, too, can access the same protection and benefits enjoyed by other workers— whether in times of sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, or even death,” ani Limlingan.
Noong Oktubre 21 ay pumirma ng memorandum of understanding ang mga opisyal ng SSS at DICT para palawakin ang social security protection sa mga online workers sa bansa.
Sa ilalim ng kasunduan, ang self-employed members ay eligible na para sa sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, funeral, at death benefits.
Maaari rin itong makapag-apply sa loan programs ng SSS kabilang ang salary loans, Emergency Loan Program, at SSS Micro Loan Program.
Para sa self-employed members, ang pinakamababang monthly contribution ay P760. Ang pinakamataas naman ay P5,280.
“Our goal is simple: no Filipino worker should be left without social security protection,” Limlingan said. “Through this partnership with DICT, we are taking a significant step toward making social security more accessible, more relevant, and more responsive to the needs of our digital workforce.” RNT/JGC
