SSS branch offices in Sulu Archipelago get Starlink satellite internet services

by Info @Brand Zone | August 16, 2024

The Social Security System (SSS) today announced that its three service offices in Basilan, Jolo, and Tawi-Tawi can now better serve members by equipping it with a more efficient and faster satellite internet connectivity, particularly Starlink.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet sealed a partnership with iOne Resources, Inc., Starlink’s local distributor, to provide high-speed internet connectivity to SSS service offices in remote areas.

Macasaet said that SSS initially procured Starlink satellite internet services initially to be implemented in 10 sites with iOne Resources, Inc. during a ceremonial turnover held at CityMall Tetuan in Zamboanga City.

“We purchased a three-year subscription for 10 sites to provide internet access to our services offices in areas with no available internet service providers or those with internet connectivity challenges,” Macasaet said.

Macasaet explained that three of the 10 identified sites have been deployed with the Starlink, namely: Basilan, Jolo, and Tawi-Tawi because internet connectivity is difficult in the islands.

He added that seven other sites will be installed with Starlink across the country in the upcoming days.

“Satellite internet technology is ideal for remote locations with a clear line of sight. It can deliver high internet speed from 100 to 200 Mbps with low latency of 25 to 60, ensuring swift data transfers in branch operations,” Macasaet added.

Moreover, Macasaet said that SSS plans to partner with other internet service providers in the country to help its branch and services offices overcome the challenges of internet connectivity, saying, “Internet access has become a necessity since most of SSS services are already available online.”

“With this project, SSS is looking forward to improving its IT infrastructure to boost its system’s uptime and provide more reliable online services to our members, employers, and pensioners,” Macasaet concluded.  

Elon Musk’s Starlink introduced satellite internet technology in the Philippines last year and was first rolled out in Metro Manila.

Batanes LGU, member na sa KaSSSangga Collect Program ng SSS

ni Fely Ng @Bulgarific | August 14, 2024

Hello, Bulgarians! Ipinahayag ng Social Security System (SSS) na mahigit 2,000 job order (JO) na manggagawa ng Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) ng Batanes ang magkakaroon ng social security protection sa ilalim ng KaSSSangga Collect Program (KCP) matapos na maging pinakabagong implementer ng programa. 

Sina SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet at Batanes Governor Marilou H. Cayco ay pumirma ng Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) na nagpapahintulot sa mga JO worker ng pamahalaang panlalawigan na makakuha ng social security coverage mula sa SSS sa ilalim ng KCP.

“This only shows SSS is committed to its mandate of expanding social security protection and services to all working Filipinos up to the last mile provinces in the Philippines like Batanes,” pahayag ni Macasaet.

Ipinaliwanag ni Macasaet na sa ilalim ng KCP, ang mga JO worker ng PLGU ay irerehistro bilang mga self-employed na miyembro ng SSS. Kasabay nito, ang PLGU Batanes ay magsisilbing SSS collecting partner, na kokolekta ng kontribusyon ng mga JO worker sa pamamagitan ng salary deduction scheme at ire-remit ang mga ito sa SSS.

“The timely remittance of monthly premiums will ensure that JO workers are qualified to avail of SSS benefits and loan privileges in times of emergencies,” sabi ni Macasaet.

Sinabi rin niya na ang mga JO worker, bilang self-employed na miyembro, ay maaaring makakuha ng mga benepisyo ng SSS gaya ng sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death, and funeral. “Maaari rin silang mag-avail ng loan privileges tulad ng salary at calamity loan,” aniya pa.

Bilang karagdagan sa mga benepisyo ng SSS, sila ay may karapatan na makatanggap ng mga benepisyo ng Employees’ Compensation (EC) sakaling magkaroon ng work-connected sickness, injury, or death.

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Para sa anumang impormasyon, opinyon, isyu o maging imbitasyon, mag-e-mail sa bulgarific@gmail.com o sumulat kay Ms. Bulgarific at ipadala sa Bulgar Bldg., 538 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City.

Loan penalty condonation program para sa mga SSS member

@Buti na lang may SSS | August 11, 2024`

Dear SSS,

Magandang araw! Mayroon akong SSS salary loan sa previous employer ko at hindi ko ito naipakaltas sa aking kasalukuyang employer. Dahil dito, hindi ko nabayaran ang aking loan mula noong 2018. Kaya nag-aalala ako na baka malaki na ang penalty nito. Mayroon bang condonation program ang SSS ngayon? Salamat.

— Simon, Mandaluyong City 

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Mabuting araw sa iyo, Simon!

Patuloy pa ring tumatanggap ng aplikasyon ang SSS para sa loan penalty condonation program nito. Inilunsad ang Consolidation of Past Due Short-Term Member Loans with Condonation of Penalty Program (Conso Loan) upang tulungan ang mga miyembro na mayroong past-due loans sa SSS. Sa ilalim ng programa, hindi na sisingilin ang kaukulang penalties o multa ng kanilang past-due loans. Sa halip, ang tangi na lamang nilang babayaran ay ang orihinal o principal amount at interes nito.

Sakop ng Conso Loan ang salary loan, calamity loan, Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP), emergency loan at restructured loans gaya ng Loan Restructuring Program (LRP) noong mga nakaraang taon.

Samantala, Simon ang babayaran mo na lamang ay ang prinsipal at interes kung saan maaari itong bayaran nang buo o one-time full payment, o kaya’y bayaran kahit 10% nito bilang down payment at ang natitirang balanse sa pamamagitan ng installment sa loob ng hanggang 60 buwan o limang taon, depende sa halaga ng iyong pagkakautang.

Para sa kapakanan ng ating mga miyembro heto ang talaan ng halaga ng pagkakautang at haba o payment terms na kinakailangang sundin para sa pagbabayad ng kanilang mga loan:

Consolidated Loan Remaining Balance	Maximum Term
Above P5,000 to P10,000	6 months
P10,001 to P18,000	12 months
P18,001 to P36,000	24 months
P36,001 to P54,000	36 months
P54,001 to P72,000	48 months
More than P72,000	60 months

Kinakailangan lamang Simon na matugunan mo ang mga sumusunod na kondisyon:

• mayroon kang hindi nabayarang short-term member loan hanggang sa araw ng iyong aplikasyon sa nasabing programa;

• hindi ka pa nabibigyan ng final benefit claim tulad ng permanent total disability o retirement benefit;

• hindi ka na-disqualify dahil sa panloloko o fraud laban sa SSS; at

• mayroon kang aktibong account sa My.SSS.

Hindi mo na rin kailangang magtungo sa sangay ng SSS sa pag-file nito sapagkat maaari mo na itong gawing online gamit ang iyong account sa My.SSS. Kaya dapat tiyakin mong may account kang nakarehistro na sa My.SSS.

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Upang makapagrehistro sa My.SSS, maaari kang magtungo sa SSS website (www.sss.gov.ph) at magparehistro sa Member portal. Kailangang punan mo ang lahat ng kinakailangang impormasyon. Tandaan na ang irerehistrong e-mail address ay kailangang aktibo at nagagamit pa dahil dito ipadadala ng SSS ang link para i-activate at magamit mo ang iyong My.SSS account. 

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Para sa tamang impormasyon at updates sa mga programa at benepisyo ng SSS, bisitahin at i-follow ang opisyal na Facebook page ng SSS sa “Philippine Social Security System - SSS” o sa X, ang dating Twitter, sa @PHLSSS. Maaari ring mag-subscribe sa YouTube channel sa “MYSSSPH”, at sumali sa SSS Viber Community, “MYSSSPH Updates”. Maaari kayong magpadala ng inyong concerns at katanungan sa usssaptayo@sss.gov.ph.