Doha:Ilocos The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Social Security System (SSS) have collaborated to introduce the AlkanSSSya Program for Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in the Ilocos Region. This initiative aims to encourage beneficiaries to become members of the state insurer and avail themselves of its benefits.

According to Philippines News Agency, Rosalyn Descallar, Project Development Office 4Ps Division Chief of DSWD Ilocos Region Field Office, explained that the program requires 4Ps members who belong to an organized group to save a small amount daily. This savings effort is designed to help them meet the minimum monthly contribution of PHP760.

The collected contributions will be managed by a designated individual from each group, who will ensure payments to the SSS at the end of each month. This system is intended to maintain the continuity of monthly contributions without imposing a financial burden on the members.

Descallar highlighted that participants in the AlkanSSSya Program would gain access to benefits similar to those of SSS members, including support during sickness, maternity leave, disability, retirement, and in the event of death. However, she emphasized that participants are not permitted to use their monthly conditional cash grants to pay for these contributions.

Currently, 114 4Ps beneficiaries in the region have volunteered for the pilot implementation of the program. The program is being introduced to potential participants during family development sessions.