4Ps families to get SSS benefits

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Social Security System (SSS) will launch today a low-cost social insurance program for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) family beneficiaries.

DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokeswoman Irene Dumlao said the “4Ps AlkanSSSya Program” aims to provide 4Ps beneficiaries with “safety nets from income loss, sickness, and other financial burden.”

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to implement the program will be signed today between the DSWD and the SSS.

The program shall establish a contribution subsidy table specific for the 4Ps organized group which is based upon an actuarial study and the actual capacity of the beneficiaries to pay the minimum amount of P570 contribution per month.

It is not yet certain how many of the 4Ps beneficiaries would qualify for the program as it would be dependent on the capability of the beneficiaries to pay the SSS monthly premium.

As of May 31, there are 4.3 million 4Ps household-beneficiaries nationwide. Under the insurance program, 4Ps beneficiaries who are members of workers’ associations, informal sector groups (ISG), and Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPA) are eligible.

The SSS shall assist the DSWD in the registration and processing of applications of all eligible beneficiaries.

Dumlao said both SSS and DSWD shall conduct seminars and orientation activities for the 4Ps organized groups as it is “necessary that our 4Ps beneficiaries are educated on the importance and benefits of SSS membership and savings.”

“This also contributes to our financial literacy efforts among our beneficiaries,” she added.

4Ps National Program Manager and Director Gemma Gabuya previously said that low-cost social insurance program is part of the DSWD’s commitment to ensure the financial security and sustainability of 4Ps beneficiaries as they transition out of the program.

“Before graduating from 4Ps, it is crucial for beneficiaries to have security or insurance,” Gabuya said, adding that insurance is integral to the DSWD’s Social Welfare and Development Indicator (SWDI) Framework.