CARD shares social protection experience
As part of the Social Security System’s (SSS) 60th year celebration, the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), Inc. shared its social protection experience to various stakeholders in a multi-sectoral event last May 12 in Metro Manila.
Josef Leron, CARD, Inc.’s director for compliance, highlighted in his talk the significant contribution of its partnership with SSS in 2013 in reinforcing its mission of eradicating poverty in the country.
“We started as Partner Agent of SSS by offering non-collection services wherein we assist our microfinance clients to have SSS number or have their records with SSS updated,” Director Leron said.
In June 2015, according to Director Leron, CARD, Inc. clients were clamoring for additional services related to SSS. “We were then granted by SSS to be their accredited Collecting Service Agent,” he added.
With the said venture, CARD, Inc.’s management then designed a loan program for its clients who wanted to pay their premium to SSS. “Our clients are our top priority; listening to them is what we always practice in the institution,” Director Leron said.
According to CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institution’s (CARD MRI) Managing Director Flordeliza Sarmiento, the partnership with SSS enabled thousands of its members to avail of the government-mandated social protection.
“Other than the social protection programs we exclusively offer to our clients, this partnership is to also bring more opportunities for them. After all, this is about their protection, their basic human right,” MD Sarmiento added.
CARD, Inc. also collaborated with the SSS IT Department and the SSS Cooperative and Informal Sector Department to significantly address the issues and concerns raised by its clients and employees, specifically on ensuring security and real time uploading of individual premium remittances.
“We enhanced our current CARD E-System incorporating SSS collection services and transactions to meet and be compatible with the SSS E-Collection System or Web Upload Facility,” Director Leron said.
The web-based application developed by SSS for CARD, Inc. is now on its first phase of pilot testing at the SSS branches in Dagupan and Vigan, which covers CARD, Inc. unit offices in Malasiqui, Bayambang, San Juan, Magsingal, Sto. Nino, Bantay, Vigan City, and Caoayan. “Once successful, this will be rolled-out to all CARD, Inc. Unit Area Offices,” he added.
CARD, Inc., according to Executive Director Jocelyn Dequito, also revealed its expansion plan this year, which is focused on far-flung communities like island provinces, cities, and municipalities as well as in conflict-prone areas.
“Through our continuous expansion of operation around the country, we hope to increase the number of enrollment and provision of our financial assistance to pay the SSS premium,” ED Dequito said.
By end of 2017, CARD, Inc. hopes to register about 170,000 clients enrolled to SSS and collect premium amounting to at least PhP 200M from roughly 103,000 clients (YTD).
As of March 2017, at least 20,398 CARD, Inc. clients were already assisted to register to SSS and 20,362 were financially-assisted in paying their SSS premium. CARD, Inc. already collected at least P61.6 million in total premium since the start of partnership.
CARD, Inc. is a social development organization and a member institution of CARD MRI, which based in San Pablo City, Laguna with offices strategically located nationwide and other parts of Asia. Programs on microfinance and microinsurance are its core strengths. CARD, Inc. also provides other development-oriented programs and services focused on health, education, environmental, and disaster management.