SSS Accredits CEmBa as Partner Agent; Taps More Organized Groups in Luzon

The state-run Social Security System has accredited Capitol Employees of Bataan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CEmBa) as servicing and collecting Partner Agent (PA) as part of its serious effort to extend SSS coverage and services to informal sector workers.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Ignacio said the organization’s wide range of products and services and good financial management makes them qualified as an accredited partner agent.

“We select organized groups that are highly capable of handling SSS transactions for its members and have shown their dedication to assist SSS in bringing the much-needed social security protection to workers in the informal sector,” Ignacio said.

The Bataan-based cooperative was established in Balanga City in 2006 and currently provides savings, lending, and social programs and support services to more than 1,600 members. To date, CEmBa is the 28th accredited PA in Luzon.

As collecting Partner Agent (PA), CEmBa is authorized to collect SSS contributions, member loan amortizations, and miscellaneous payments from its regular or associate members who are self-employed or voluntary members of SSS.

The newly accredited PA is also allowed to receive and screen registration forms, member loan application forms, funeral claim application forms, and other supporting documents. Under the Memorandum of Agreement signed by the SSS and CemBa, the latter can issue a Certificate of Fact of Death for the death claim application submitted through them. With the SSS-CEmBa partnership, the pension fund is expected to cover at least 1,200 cooperative members.

“We are optimistic that there would be more and more cooperatives and microfinance institutions which will serve as links in bringing social security to their members especially those in hard-to-reach and underserved areas so that they too will be able to avail SSS benefits and loan privileges,” Ignacio said.

Meanwhile, SSS recently conducted another Multi-Sectoral Forum dubbed as “SSS: Nakiki-isa sa Pagsulong ng Social Protection Para sa mga Manggagawa sa Informal Sector” Japi Traveller’s Hotel in Cauayan, Isabela.

Around 100 participants from various cooperatives and local government units (LGUs) in Northern Luzon attended the forum. The event highlighted the value of SSS membership, SSS programs for self-employed workers and the role of cooperatives in the promotion of social security protection through the testimony of an existing partner agent in the area.