SSS PREXY URGES PINOYS IN ITALY TO JOIN SSS

ROME 21 June 2023– The Philippine Embassy in Rome, in coordination with partner agency Social Security System (SSS), successfully conducted a seminar on the various SSS benefits to members of the Filipino community at the Social Hall on 19 June 2023.

SSS sent a three-man official delegation from Manila led by Mr. Rolando L. Macasaet, President and CEO, Mr. Manuel Luis Antonio, Special Assistant to Corporate Head III, and Judge Voltaire Agas, Executive Vice President. SSS President Macasaet enjoined the community to join SSS and avail of the various benefits accruing to SSS members. For current SSS members, he stressed the importance of regular contributions through monthly/quarterly or annual payment schemes either in the Philippines (through relatives) or abroad (through remittance centers or via online payments). He further encouraged the audience to disseminate the information obtained from the seminar to other members of the community in Italy.

On the requirements to continue receiving a monthly SSS pension, he clarified that members still need to present proof of life such as photographs taken together with the latest edition of local newspapers or against the backdrop of television news coverages showing the date of broadcast. He also offered another option through the written statement of the SSS representative in Italy attesting that the member is alive. Mr. Macasaet further shared to the audience another SSS program in the pipeline envisioning an increase in pension (more than the present maximum amount received) through a corresponding increase in monthly membership contributions, especially catering to members aged 40 and below.

According to SSS, an estimated 160,000 are registered SSS members in Italy.

The SSS delegation from Manila will also be conducting a briefing to the Filipino community in Milan on 23 June, and participate in the consular outreach of Geneva PCG on 25 June. END