DURING its 57th anniversary celebration last month, the Social Security System (SSS) launched a new campaign featuring the voices of its members who have experienced, with great appreciation, the help their social-security program has given them in times of economic distress. The campaign highlights the members’ inner expression of “Buti na lang may SSS! [It’s a good thing there’s SSS!]” that testifies to the institution’s faithfulness to its mandate of being a shoulder to lean on in times of contingencies.
One such voice is that of Rubylyn Reclusado, a market vendor who works at the Vigan Public Market in Ilocos Norte province. When she first heard about the plan of her group, Vigan Market Vendors Inc. (VMVI), to partner with the SSS through the latter’s AlkanSSSya program, so that she and fellow vendors could become SSS members and pay their contributions more affordably, she was doubtful, yet intrigued: doubtful that she could afford to make her contributions; intrigued at the thought that even market vendors like her could become SSS members. She thought that SSS membership was only for factory and office workers.
Reclusado’s initial doubts were erased when representatives from the SSS Vigan branch went to her association’s meeting and explained the AlkanSSSya as a microsavings scheme that enables self-employed individuals from the informal sector to save on a daily basis for their monthly contributions. On December 17, 2012, VMVI officially became part of the program, and Reclusado was one of the 160 initial members who eagerly dropped their first savings in their designated compartments that day.
Dropping coins in her AlkanSSSya unit slowly became a habit for Reclusado. At the end of her work day, she would pass by her unit and drop in some amount from her daily income. If she had no time or money to spare one day, she would make sure to double her savings the next day. She needed to save up at least P330 a month for her SSS contribution. By saving small amounts daily, she was able to meet that required amount.
In April Reclusado gave birth to her second child via caesarean operation. While she was happy to have another baby, the cost of childbirth seemed overwhelming to her. Fortunately, she had the SSS to lean on. She filed a maternity-benefit claim, and because of her contributions, she qualified for a maternity benefit of P7,800. While it was not enough to cover the cost of childbirth, the modest amount was a big help in defraying it. Even her fellow market vendors were surprised and happy for her.
“Sabi ng mga kasamahan ko, maganda pala maging miyembro ng SSS. Gusto na rin nilang sumali sa AlkanSSSya. Tuwang-tuwa ako nang makakuha ako ng maternity benefit mula sa SSS. Bumalik sa akin ang ’yung mga hinulog ko at higit pa. Buti nalang may SSS! [My co-vendors realized that being an SSS member is a good thing. They now want to join the AlkanSSSya. I was so happy when I got my maternity benefit from the SSS. I got back what I contributed, and more! It’s a good thing there’s SSS!]” Reclusado happily recalled.
Her story is just one of the many that show how being covered by the SSS has benefited members.
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For more information about the SSS AlkanSSSya program, call your nearest SSS branch or the SSS 24-hour call center at (632) 920-6446 to 55, Monday to Friday, or e-mail member_relations@sss.gov.ph.
Susie G. Bugante is the vice president for public affairs and special events of the Social Security System. Send comments about this column to susie-bugante.bmirror@gmail.com.