State-run pension fund Social Security System (SSS) has given its members living in Mindanao areas recently hit by a series of earthquakes more time to settle their contributions and loan payments.
In a statement, SSS president and chief executive Aurora C. Ignacio said the policymaking Social Security Commission (SSC) approved the extension until Dec. 2 of the deadline for contributions payments and salary loan repayments in the following ares: Davao City, Kidapawan City, and Cotabato and Davao del Sur provinces.
“This is our small way of extending our help to our members who were affected by the recent catastrophic incident. We want them to cope up first with their immediate needs following the destruction brought about by the earthquake yet we also want them to be secured in times of contingencies through their coverage with the SSS,” according to Ignacio.
The SSC had approved to give the extension until Nov. 30—a regular holiday commemorating Bonifacio Day—so the ultimate deadline was in the next working day or on Dec. 2.
“The SSS extended the deadline of remitting contributions for the applicable months of July, August and September as well as salary loan repayments without incurring any penalties for self-employed and voluntary members,” it said.
Also, “payments of contributions and salary loans of regular and household employers for the applicable month of September without incurring any penalties, whose principal place of business is in the above-mentioned areas are also extended,” the SSS added.
“Members and employers may pay their obligations for the extended period through the automated tellering system in SSS branches located in Toril, Digos, Davao City and Kidapawan,” Ignacio said.
Last Monday, the SSS started accepting applications for calamity loans, advance three-month pension as well as direct house repair and improvement loan from its members and pensioners who live in Mindanao areas earlier declared under state of calamity by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council due to the strong quakes.