SSS collections from Central Visayas up 10%

MANILA, Philippines - The Social Security System (SSS) said yesterday collections from members in Central Visayas rose 10 percent to P6.07 billion last year.

SSS president and chief executive officer Emilio De Quiros Jr. said 89 percent or P5.42 billion of the total came from Central Visayas-based employee-members while the balance of P658.6 million came from premiums of self-employed and voluntary members.

 De Quiros said a total of P2.4 billion or about 40 percent of Central Visayas contributions in 2012 were remitted over-the-counter at SSS-accredited banks.

SSS benefit disbursements, on the other hand,  reached P5.99 billion or an increase of four percent. About P4.51 billion of that amount was paid for the regular SSS pensions for retirement, death and disability.

“Apart from pensions, Central Visayas members and beneficiaries also received P509.27 million in lump-sum for retirement; P328.80 million for maternity; P238.11 million in lump sum for death; P218.26 million in funeral grants; P129.53 million for sickness, medical and rehabilitation services; and P50.66 million for disability,” De Quiros said.

The agency has nearly 2.2 million members in Central Visayas, about 1.75 million of whom are covered employees, including 1.74 company workers and 5,900 househelpers. About 218,00 more are registered as self-employed while an additional 217,500 are voluntary members.

SSS branches in Central Visayas are located in Biliran, Bogo, Borongan, Calbayog, Catarman, Catbalogan, Cebu, Lapu-lapu, Massin, Mandaue, Ormoc, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Talibon, Toledo and Ubay. SSS Cebu serves as agency’s division headquarters in the region.