By Michelle Ducut
Nearly 5, 000 job order (JO) and contract of service (COS) workers of the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 5 (Bicol) are now eligible for the benefits and privileges of being Social Security System (SSS) members.
In an interview on Monday, Mayflor Marie Jumamil, DepEd-5 spokesperson, shared that 4,816 personnel from the regional office and 13 Schools Division Offices (SDOs) will soon undergo a series of orientations for the KaSSSangga Collect Program, a new initiative by SSS. Under this program, a DepEd staff member will be assigned to collectively process the deductions and remittances for the JOs and COS workers, simplifying the payment process through salary deductions.
As SSS members, these workers will have access to a range of benefits, including retirement, disability, maternity, death, and sickness benefits, as well as the provision of loans.
Jumamil also explained that regular employees who are existing SSS members may opt to continue paying their contributions as voluntary members under the new program. The SSS will assist in ensuring that their remittances continue smoothly.
DepEd Regional Director Gilbert Sadsad expressed gratitude for the program, highlighting its significance in securing benefits for non-regular employees. “We are truly grateful to the SSS for attending to the welfare of our JOs and COS. With this program, they can now be enrolled as members and enjoy its benefits even when they leave DepEd,” Sadsad stated.