MANILA, Philippines - The Social Security System (SSS) has partnered with Card Inc., a microfinance institution that manages a nationwide network of 900,000 women entrepreneurs, as part of the pension fund’s intensified campaign to reach out to informal sector workers.
Under the agreement, Card Inc. representatives can serve as conduits for its members’ applications for SSS registration, salary loans and funeral benefits.
SSS president and chief executive officer Emilio De Quiros Jr. said this partnership makes transacting with SSS easier and convenient and saves workers’ valuable time and money.
“Servicing partner agents such as Card Inc. enable us to bring SSS services closer to informal sector workers, particularly those in rural areas with limited access to SSS offices. The agreements also help our partner organizations to look after the welfare of their own members,†he said.
De Quiros said Laguna-based Card Inc. is the agency’s third accredited servicing partner agent after similar tie ups with two workers’ associations were signed in the past three weeks.
“The fast expansion of SSS’ network of partner organizations reflects the growing awareness of the value of SSS coverage among workers, especially among vulnerable sectors that have no or little access to social protection,†De Quiros said.
Founded by Dr. Jaime Aristotle Alip, Card Inc. aims to empower women and their families through microfinance, education and training activities.
De Quiros said the agency is looking to forge similar partnerships with workers’ groups in southern Philippines, starting in Davao and Iloilo.
Around 32,700 informal sector workers so far stand to benefit from SSS’ linkages with a farmers’ association in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija that was formalized last Jan. 29 and with a diocese-run development institution for micro-entrepreneurs in Legazpi City, Albay last Feb. 4.