SSS to expand loan programs, make loans more accessible to Filipinos

MANILA— New Social Security System President and CEO Victor Alfonso Limlingan laid out his plans for the agency on Wednesday, which included expanding loan programs to make it more accessible to Filipinos.

Speaking to Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, Limlingan said he has 5 key priorities to further make the agency helpful to its beneficiaries.

“I want to expand our loan programs. Gusto kong damihan iyong loans and make it easier for people to borrow from SSS. Iyan ho iyong una, iyong loans ng SSS, gusto ko palawakin,” Limlingan said. 

“Number two, gusto kong i-improve iyong returns ng aming portfolio. Iyong benepisyo po namin, if we are able to increase returns, then we’re able to increase benefits,” he said. 

“Third, there is something called iyong pension booster. Kasi alam po namin na may mga tao dito na may naiipon, so gumagawa po kami ng program called pension booster,” Limlingan added.

He also said that he wanted to improve employee welfare and improve service excellence.

“Una sa lahat sa branches na alam ko na mahahaba iyong mga pila, I want to shorten that,” he said.

He also said he will use technology to further improve services of the agency, including the extension of benefits for those in the gig economy.

“Now, let’s address po iyong mga self-employed. Iyong self-employed kasi or voluntary, wala po silang obligation sumama sa SSS kaya po we really have to make clear to them na there’s a benefit to joining SSS,” he said.

Limlingan said he signed a memorandum with the DICT for a program for virtual assistants and those doing online jobs. 

“So, we want to tie up with agencies that cater to these various voluntary workers para ho maengganyo silang maging miyembro po ng SSS,” he said.