SSS COVERS JO/COS WORKERS IN ILOCOS NORTE
In the Photo. The above photo shows SSS Vice President Normita Cruz (2nd from left) together with (L-R) Marcos Municipal Accountant Christian Rasalan, Marcos Mayor Antonio Mariano, and SSS Laoag Branch Head Richard Raralio. (Left Photo) Memorandum of Agreements were signed between the Social Security System and Marcos, Ilocos Norte LGU, and the DA-PCC-MMSU to officially cover the Job Order and Contract of Service Workers of these two agencies under the KaSSSanga Collect Program. (Right photo) (L-R) DA-PCC-MMSU HR Designate/Science Research Specialist Mari Joan Nefulda, OIC-Center Director Joel Cabading, SSS Vice President Luzon North 1 Division Normita Cruz, and SSS Laoag Branch Head Richard Raralio during the ceremonial signings on April 20, 2026. (SSS File photos)
Baguio City – The Social Security System (SSS) Laoag Branch formalized a significant partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) under the KaSSSanga Collect Program (KCP) with the Local Government of Marcos, Ilocos Norte, and the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Carabao Center – Mariano Marcos State University (DA-PCC-MMSU). The ceremonial signing marked a milestone in expanding social security coverage to Job Orders and Contract of Service Workers of these agencies.
SSS was represented by Luzon North 1 Division Vice President Normita Cruz and SSS Laoag Branch Head Richard Raralio, while the Municipality of Marcos, Ilocos Norte, was represented by Mayor Antonio Mariano, and the DA-PCC-MMSU was represented by OIC Center Director Joel Cabading.
Vice President Cruz says that under the Agreement, SSS shall register these two agencies’ Job Order and Contract of Service workers as SSS Self-Employed members. “These agencies shall be responsible for the collection and remittance of the SSS contributions of their workers through an automatic salary deduction scheme. In return, these employees will gain access to various range of social security benefits like sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death, and funeral, as well as loan privileges.” Cruz added.
The local government of Marcos employs 120 JOs/COS while DA-PCC-MMSU has 39.
SSS Laoag Branch Head Raralio emphasized that the MOA signing is aligned with the agency’s greater mandate to provide universal and equitable social protection for all Filipino workers. He added that JOs and COS workers in the government are not covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Law, hence the expansion of SSS coverage in the professional sector.
Raralio explained further that the monthly contribution of a Self-Employed member ranges from P760.00 to P5,280.00, depending on the monthly income declared by the employee, inclusive of EC or Employees’ Contribution ranging from P10.00 to P30.00. The EC Program is an additional benefit for employed and self-employed members in case of work-related sickness, injury, or death.
As of April 2026, SSS Laoag has 31 KCP partners and covers 2,655 JOs and COS workers across the province of Ilocos Norte.
Government agencies, LGUs, GOCCs, and state universities are encouraged to partner with the Social Security System by visiting the nearest branch and learning more about the KaSSSanga Collect Program (KCP). #
