SSS collections hit P4.98B from Luzon-based members alone

MANILA, Philippines  - The Social Security System (SSS) reported yesterday that it has collected a total of P4.98 billion worth of contributions from members based in Luzon provinces in the first quarter of the year.

The agency’s collections from Luzon during the period reflected an 18 percent increase from the P4.24 billion it generated in the same period last year, the SSS also said.

SSS president and chief executive officer Emilio de Quiros Jr. said that among the different areas in Luzon, contributions of members from provinces in the Southern Tagalog region accounted for a huge chunk of total collections during the period.

Data from the agency showed that the SSS operations in the Southern Tagalog region, buoyed by industrial centers in Cavite, Laguna and Bataan, posted the highest increase of 18 percent for a total of P1.99 billion.

“SSS surpassed its three-month Luzon target of P4.89 billion by two percent. We are off to a promising start towards our annual target of P18.54 billion,” de Quiros said in a statement.

De Quiros went to several Luzon provinces for consultative meetings with stakeholders and branch employees.

Among the different provinces in Luzon, the SSS office in Baguio City serves as nerve center of the agency’s operations in North Luzon.

Nonetheless, SSS also has offices in Tarlac City (Central Luzon), San Pablo City in Laguna (South Luzon) and Naga City (Bicol Region).

De Quiros said that SSS collections amounting to nearly P2 billion, which made up 44 percent of the total amount, were paid at SSS branch tellers.

Meanwhile, the SSS also received contributions through Bayad Centers amounting to P388 million.

Payments made over-the-counter through banks amounted to P1.5 billion.

Payments made through the agency’s SSSNet amounted to P895 million. SSSNet is an electronic facility for employers that report contributions on a monthly basis.

The SSS chief urged companies to use the electronic facility because it results in quick posting of contributions unlike paper-based reporting, which is done quarterly.