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IT is a common perception among Filipinos that overseas employment is the best route out of poverty because one can earn more money, which enables one to save or buy properties. On top of this, overseas workers are in a better position to provide quality education to their children. Since the 1970s, we have witnessed the rising number of Filipinos seeking overseas jobs, whether professionals or skilled workers. They are taking their chances to work abroad to give their families a better life.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that about 10 million Filipinos live overseas, and around 1 million leave the country every year to find greener pastures in foreign territories. It is also noteworthy to mention that OFW remittances have helped bolster the Philippine economy with total remittances of P211.9 billion from April to September 2019, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
SSS is aware of our modern-day heroes’ sacrifices in their desire to earn more and provide comfortable livesto their families. This is the reason why they make the difficult decision to be apart from their loved ones for years.
Aware of their sacrifices, the SSS wanted to provide a lifeline for them in times of contingencies brought about by sickness, disability, retirement, death, or unemployment. That’s why in June 1995, SSS started the coverage of OFWs. All they need to do is to contribute part of their hard-earned money to the pension fund to avail themselves of these benefits.
In response to the growing number of our OFWs, the SSS strategically established its Foreign Representative Offices in territories with a high concentration of OFWs. These offices serve as our channel in providing every Filipino, including those working and living abroad, access to social security benefits in addition to what they are receiving in the countries they are currently or permanently residing.
The SSS Foreign Representative Offices act as our overseas branches that attend to our current and prospective members’ needs. Notwithstanding the present pandemic situation, these offices are continuously providing through appointment system such services as:
1. Member Data Change Request.
2. Receipt of filing of benefit claim applications such as sickness, maternity, disability, death, and retirement claims.
3. Flexi-fund withdrawal.
4. UMID data capture and card release.
5. Annual Confirmation of Pensioner (ACOP).
Meanwhile, filing of loan applications and other benefit programs such as unemployment and retirement, among others, can now be accessed online through My.SSS portal in the SSS web site.
The SSS established its first Foreign Representative Office in Hong Kong in 1998. Since then, it has successfully set up other offices around the globe. Currently, there are 28 Foreign Representative Offices in 19 countries. In Asia, we have offices in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan (Taipei and Kaohsiung), Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Singapore, while SSS has established its representative offices in the Middle East in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar), United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi and Dubai), Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman and Israel. In North America, SSS has established offices in Canada (Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver), and USA (Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco). In Europe, SSS offices are located in Italy (Rome and Milan), and in the United Kingdom (London). Soon, SSS will formally open its doors in Madrid, Spain, hopefully before the end of the year.
SSS Foreign Representative Offices are mostly situated at the Philippine Embassies, Consulates, or Overseas Labor Offices where our own personnel are equipped to handle any SSS transaction and inquiries similar to the services being offered by our local branches.
Fulfilling our mandate in the last 62 years, we look forward to serving more OFW members. As always, the SSS assures them of social security protection and benefits in times of need.
Aurora C. Ignacio is SSS president and chief executive officer.
We welcome your questions and insights on the topics that we discuss. E-mail mediaaffairs@sss.gov.ph for topics that you might want us to discuss.