Benefit payments reach P1.20-T in less than 6 years
The Social Security System (SSS) disbursed a total of P236.3 billion in benefits from January to November 2022, a growth of 13.2% from the P208.8 billion benefit disbursements it recorded for the same period last year.
SSS President and CEO Michael G. Regino said the rise in disbursements this year is driven by the increases in number of benefit claims, number of members and pensioners, and amount of benefit releases for retirement, disability, and death.
“For the first 11 months of 2022, we have received 4.58 million benefit claims. This is 7.3% higher than the 4.27 million benefit claims we received for the same period last year,” Regino said. “Our pensioners, which stood at three million in 2021, grew to 3.18 million by November 2022, while our retirement, disability, and death benefit monthly disbursements, which averaged at P16.6 billion in 2021, increased to P19.53 billion for January to November this year.”
From 2016 to 2021, the amount of SSS benefit disbursements and the number of claims also grew by an average of 11.4% and 7.9%, respectively, despite the 1% decrease in both in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The upward trend in SSS benefit payments in recent years is also attributed to the grant of additional monthly benefit,
implementation of a new benefit program, and higher salary base for benefit computation.
In 2017, the SSS granted a P1,000 additional monthly benefit for pensioners pursuant to a Memorandum from the Executive Secretary dated 22 February 2017, by authority of the President of the Philippines.
In 2019, Republic Act (RA) No. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018 was implemented, which, among other provisions, expanded the SSS’ mandatory membership coverage, introduced the Unemployment Benefit Program and Workers’ Investment Savings Program (WISP), and increased the minimum and maximum monthly salary credit (MSC).
In the same year, RA No. 11210 or the 105-day Expanded Maternity Leave Law was implemented, increasing the number of compensable days of maternity leave, from 60 days for normal delivery and 78 days for caesarian section delivery, to 105 days for live childbirth, regardless of the type of delivery, plus an additional 15 days if the female worker qualifies as a solo parent. The law also extended the maternity leave to every instance of pregnancy, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy (ETP), regardless of frequency, from the
The Social Security System (SSS) on Monday said that the 2023 contribution increase would help fund higher benefit disbursements to its members.
SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Michael G. Regino explained that the four-stage contribution rate hike readies the SSS fund for the future needs of its members.
Starting January 1, 2023, the new contribution rate will be pegged at 14 percent, up by one (1) percentage point from the current 13 percent.
“We have already expanded the benefits to our members such as the unemployment benefit, and maternity benefit under the Expanded Maternity Leave Law (EMLL). Both these benefits, however, have no particular source of funding but since 2019, we have continuously given these benefits to our members,” Regino said.
From 2019 until October 2022, SSS has already disbursed P3.78 billion in unemployment benefits to more than 287,000 members.
Likewise, the annual maternity benefit disbursement rose by 78% from P7.07 billion in 2018 to P12.54 billion in 2022.
The SSS Chief also said that the previous contribution increases boosted benefit disbursements for its members.
“From January 2019 to October 2022, we have released P822.86 billion benefits to our members, which is 38% higher than the P596.30 billion benefit disbursements from January 2015 to December 2018 prior to the amendment of the Social Security Law,” he added.
Moreover, Regino said the latest SSS actuarial valuation revealed that the fund life would last until 2054. “The reforms in the contribution rates are among the factors that helped boosted our fund life brought by Republic Act No. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018,” he added.
This is an indicator that the pension fund has enough funds to support the short-term and immediate financial
Having your monthly period on a working day making you irritable, impatient and grumpy, keeping you from being nice to clients seeking government assistance? The local government of Tangalan, a municipality in the second district of Aklan has a solution to this.
The solution is the town’s Ordinance No. 2022-214 entitled “An Ordinance Establishing ‘Menstruation Day Privilege’ To Female Employees Of the Municipal Government Of Tangalan, Aklan To Work-From-Home (WFH) Two Days A Month While They Have Their Periods, Providing Funds Thereof And Likewise Encouraging Other Government And Private Offices In The Municipality To Do The Same.”
This ordinance was sponsored by Vice Mayor Gene T. Fuentes and co-sponsored by Sangguniang Bayan Member Edina T. Gelito, which seeks to provide reasonable and appropriate work arrangements for female government officials and employees to ensure efficient and effective performance of government functions and delivery of public services especially during their menstrual period days.
Asked on why of all officials in Tangalan, it took him, a male official, to craft an ordinance benefiting women? He said this is due to what he had observed in the LGU workplace on the way some female employees entertain or receive clients.
Clients going to the municipal hall are usually from farflung, mountainous barangays of the town, or from coastal areas which take them long hours of travel to reach the office.
“Haobserbahan ko nga kon amat hay nakueangan ako sa klase it serbisyo nga ginatao it pilang mga empleyada sa munisipyo. Nagpangutana ako kon ham-an ag daya ro akon nga nadiskubre nga maeain gali andang pamatyag kon una ro andang menstruation ngani hay owa sanda sa ‘mood’ (I have observed that sometimes, I am not satisfied with the services the female employees provide to clients of the municipality. I inquired and I discovered they don’t feel well during their menstrual period so they are not in the mood),” Vice Mayor Fuentes revealed.
Thus, the ordinance was crafted to keep the balance and make the female employees of the municipality who are of reproductive ages whether regular, casual, Job Order or Contract of Service (COS) of LGU-Tangalan happy and comfortable for two days, while still performing their respective du-
ties and responsibilities in their homes, as directed by their department heads, according to Vice Mayor Fuentes.
The ordinance also provides perks for these women on their “red” days: they get to receive free Menstrual Kits which include but not limited to one pack napkin, one pack panty shield, and one bottle of feminine wash to be provided by the LGU’s Municipal Health Office (MHO) every month.
The ordinance, unique as it is, is the first of its kind in the
SSS records P236.3-B...
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previous limit of only for the first four deliveries or miscarriages.
“With all these changes, we were able to disburse P1.20 trillion benefits through 23.87 million claims in less than six years, specifically from January 2017 to November 2022,” Regino said.
From 2011 to 2016, SSS’ benefit disbursements reached P606.47 billion for 16.79 million claims.
“As we continue to see higher benefit payments through these developments, it is equally important for us to also implement the scheduled reforms provided under the Social Security Act of 2018 that aim to strengthen the SSS fund for us to continue serving our current and future members and their beneficiaries,” he concluded.
Starting January 2023, the SSS will increase its contribution rate by 1%, making it 14% from the previous 13%. The employer's share of the contribution will rise to 9.5%, while the employee's share will remain at 4.5%. Self-employed, voluntary, and land-based Overseas Filipino Worker members, on the other hand, will shoulder the 1% increase. The minimum and maximum MSCs will also increase from P3,000 to P4,000 and P25,000 to P30,000, respectively. (AMIEL GENOVA/SSS)
The province of Aklan is more than just beaches and resorts!
Aside from the amazing and exceptional tourist spots in Aklan such as the world famous Boracay Island, the unexploited white sand and turquoise water beach of Hinugtan beach, and the natural springwater of Hurum-hurom Cold Spring, the province likewise offers delicious and delightful food trip experience.
As you explore the natural wonders of Aklan, you could likewise discover and enjoy the province's abundant culinary creations that surely will satisfy everyone's appetite as you could not refuse to take a bite.
One of the must Aklanon foods to savor is the Native Chicken Binakoe. This top local dish of Aklan has preserved the traditional way of cooking through the years that is why until now the way of cooking as well as its taste remains authentic.
The native chicken is cooked in a bamboo tube over a flaming charcoal for at least two and a half hours.
A famous vlogger, Jayvee Manikan, who had tasted the said Aklanon dish and even featured it in his vlog, described Binakoe as “nanunuot ang lasa at umaapaw ang aroma.” He compared Binakoe to Tinolang Manok but the former has a distinct taste that made it an authentic dish of Aklan.
Another unique dish in Aklan is Ubod Nipa. This dish is considered a unique cuisine of Aklan in terms of ingredients and taste. From its name, the main ingredient is ubod ng nipa (nipa palm pith) which is boiled in water to make it tender and lessen the bitter taste. It is thinly sliced and sauté in garlic and onions. Coconut milk, sugar, bread crumbs and other spices are then added.
In this modern time, some add condensed milk, evaporated milk, eggs and crushed peanuts for sweeter, richer taste and bursting texture.
Next is Native Chicken Inubaran, which is considered as a signature dish of Aklan. As what many tourists and guests had said, this local dish should not be missed when visiting the province.
The main ingredients of this Aklan’s famous dish are native chicken, ubad ng saging (heart of banana stalk) and coconut milk. You could enjoy in this dish the tenderness of the native chicken and creaminess of the coconut milk and the bizarre texture of the ubad.
A traditional and is another Aklan’s pride dish is Tinuom. This is believed to be a century old dish of Aklan and still a
staple food here until now.
Tinuom is a local term that means “wrapped” or “balot” because the dish is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.
Here in Aklan, particularly in Madalag, many variations of tinuom are offered. It could be native chicken, fish, vegetables, shrimp and other seafood.
Who could have not known Ramboy’s Liempo and Lechon Manok? Its popularity even branched out to other provinces such as Iloilo and Capiz. These dishes were also featured by the famous traveller and personality, Drew Arellano in his segment “Byahe ni Drew.”
The crunchiness and juiciness will surely not to be missed by Aklan’s visitors. Indeed it is Aklan’s best chicken and liempo.
