- Talking about trying to cover indigenous peoples under the AlkanSSSya program which has successfully been implemented for informal sector communities. 3. Key Performance Indicators for the agency - Increasing coverage of those in the vulnerable sector. (but reiterates that they need the data from the PSA to help in the targeting) - Coverage %, Collection, Benefit Payments, Investment Income, Operation Expense. 4. What are the challenges that the agency face in the realization of its mandates? - They don’t have baseline data to start with in terms of targeting sectors for coverage. - Making sure that there will be funds available for returns to future pensioners which are today’s actively paying members. - The discrepancy between collection versus benefit payments. - The inherent problem with increasing this generation’s pensions is that it affects the collection on 2-3 batches of future generation. - There are a lot of far-flung areas which is very hard for the agency to reach. They are making efforts to ensure these people can access the services of SSS. They are partnering with LGUs and are open to working with cooperatives and organized groups. 5. What are the upcoming plans of the SSS with respect to policy and program development? - For 2020 (based on annual corporate plan) the focus will be on income generation. The primary thrust will be contribution collection (short term) as well as increase in investment income. (long term) - The SS Act of 2018 frees the agency from political interventions and hopefully will result in a more streamlined service and better implementation of its programs. - Provident fund. This is included in the provisions of the charter. It will take effect in 2021 when the maximum salary level increases to 35,000. Recommendations/Suggestions: - Try a partnership event with SSS to connect the Indigenous Peoples of La Trinidad, Benguet. Involve the CHR in consultations and policy level inter-agency meetings. Annex 4.5 Interview with SSS Digos Branch Representative 1. Current Social Security situation in the locale (Digos branch) - The branch caters to 2 regions, Davao del Sur and the newly created Davao Occidental. Site inspection has been done for creation of service office in Malita, Davao Occidental. - Undocumented membership around 150,000 covered in Digos branch - 85,752(employed sector) 71,092(self-employed, voluntary) 1,300(OFW) Documented members. 948,936 total population in Digos. 431,000 total labor force with 36.69% covered - Most of the time, members don’t file change of address unless they will claim some benefits - As of February 2019, 8,249 Farmers/Fisherfolk, 318 recorded Indigenous Peoples under the AlkanSSSya Program. The program is also used to target groups under the 4Ps as Indigents and Indigenous Peoples are also included in that program. - The branch reaches out to organized groups in order to facilitate membership but from their experience, these groups seldom maintain contributions due to lack of funds. 67