The Social Security System (SSS) President and CEO, Rolando Ledesma Macasaet, has strongly advocated for the inclusion of barangay captains and kagawads from over 42,000 barangays across the country into the SSS membership.
Addressing barangay officials at the Liga ng Mga Barangay’s National Congress on August 13 in Pasay City, Macasaet encouraged their enrollment to secure a lifetime monthly pension upon retirement.
Macasaet emphasized that many barangay officials serve their communities for decades without receiving any separation pay or pension after retiring from public service.
By becoming SSS members and paying at least 120 monthly contributions, barangay officials will be eligible for a lifetime monthly pension.
He explained that officials could contribute to SSS intermittently and still qualify for retirement benefits, provided they reach the required number of contributions.
Macasaet also highlighted other SSS benefits, including sickness, maternity, disability, unemployment, funeral, and death benefits, along with access to various loan programs.
Macasaet applauded House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Isabela 6th District Representative Faustino A. Dy V for filing the Magna Carta for Barangay Officials bill, which seeks to empower local government units (LGUs) to shoulder the monthly SSS contributions of barangay officials.
He stressed that this initiative demonstrates President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s care for barangay leaders.
SSS also made its e-services more accessible to barangay officials during the event. Laptops were provided, and SSS personnel assisted in acquiring SS numbers and processing other SSS-related transactions. SSS brought internet kits to ensure seamless service.