MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA) -- The Social Security System (SSS) Cagayan de Oro-Lapasan branch is bolstering the implementation of the KaSSSangga Collect Program through a Memorandum of Agreement with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) - Misamis Oriental Provincial Office. 

This initiative ensures the social security protection of its 200 job order (JO) and contract of service (COS) workers.

Formerly known as the KaltaSSS Collect Program, the KaSSSangga caters to government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and state universities and colleges (SUCs) employing JOs and COS workers not covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). It intends to grant this employee sector and their dependents access to the agency's social security programs, including sickness, maternity, unemployment, retirement, disability, death, funeral, and various loan programs.

“The SSS initiated coverage programs to reach our workers from the informal sector and gig economy, which include Job Order and Contract of Service workers from LGUs, national government agencies, SUCs, and other organized groups from the professional sector,” said branch head Valentine Aunzo.

Aunzo stressed that the program extends its coverage beyond JO and COS workers to include permanent or regular employees who previously worked in private companies. These individuals can reactivate their SSS membership and resume their contributions.

SSS urged LGUs, NGAs, and SUCs to facilitate their JOs and COS workers' participation in the program. Private sector employers must also register their workers with SSS and meet their contribution obligations to avoid legal repercussions.

Ricardo Daquio, a JO worker at PENRO, takes in the opportunity to register for SSS and the benefits it provides. He thanked the PENRO management for prioritizing their welfare. 

"I encourage all JO and COS workers to avail of SSS. You are ensured social security for a maximum contribution of approximately two percent of your monthly earnings. Contributing to SSS is not a loss but an investment in the future," said Enzo Saab, who currently works as a job order.  

To date, the SSS CDO-Lapasan Branch has agreements with 10 LGUs in Misamis Oriental, two campuses of the University of Science and Technology in Southern Philippines located in Cagayan de Oro City and Claveria, and two NGAs, namely, the Department of Health-10 and PENRO Misamis Oriental. This collaboration has resulted in 1,855 JO and COs workers enrolling in the program. (JAKA, PIA Region 10-Misamis Oriental)