The Social Security System (SSS) is extending its assistance to victims of typhoon Odette, announcing that the contribution payment deadline for selected months in 2021 is extended to February 28 for members living in areas declared under a state of calamity due to the typhoon.
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for its part, also made an announcement for typhoon-hit regions, assuring that it will hasten the release of insurance claims from government agencies whose properties were damaged in the calamity.
The SSS said based on Circular No. 2022-004 dated February 9, contribution payments included in the extended deadline are the months of November and December 2021 of business and household employers; and October to December 2021 of coverage and
collection partners, self-employed, voluntary, non-working spouse members; and land-based overseas Filipino workers in Region IV-B (MIMAROPA); Region VI (Western Visayas); Region VII (Central Visayas); Region VIII (Eastern Visayas); Region X (Northern Mindanao); and Region XIII (CARAGA).
SSS president and CEO Aurora C. Ignacio said the agency saw the “adverse effects” brought by the typhoon and through the payment extension, the SSS “aims to alleviate the worries” of members in the affected regions. The SSS said for employers with approved installment proposals, post-date checks that fall due in December 2021 and January 2022 will be deposited on or before February 28.
Normally, the contribution payment deadline of business employers is set every last day of the month, while for household employers and self-employed members, the deadline is every last day of the month ollowing the applicable month or calendar quarter.
The contribution payment deadline for land-based OFW members for the applicable months of January to September of a given year is every December 31 of the same year, while for the applicable months of October to December of a given year, it is every January 31 of the succeeding year.
The GSIS Insurance Group meanwhile dispatched third-party adjusters and coordinated with government agencies including the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to monitor and assess the damages in airports and properties of affected regions.
The GSIS said as of December 21, a total of 16 airports in Antique, Kalibo, Roxas,
Bacolod, Caticlan, Iloilo, Mactan, Bantayan, Dumaguete, Tagbilaran, Ubay, Siquijor, Panglao, Tacloban, Siargao, and Surigao were damaged.
The GSIS further said majority of these airports are covered under the comprehensive policy issued by the agency.
Under Republic Act No. 656 (Property Insurance Law), the GSIS has to to insure government properties, assets, and interests from calamities.
The GSIS said the insurance will help government agencies recover from their losses, after the onslaught of “Odette.”