16 May 2021 - In an unprecedented collaboration, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul and the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi, through their Philippine Overseas Labor Office, together with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Malaysia, and in cooperation with the Social Security System (SSS) in Hongkong, conducted a joint webinar for OFWs in Korea, Vietnam and Malaysia entitled, "Ako at SSS: Membership, Savings and Retirement". It was held online on 16 May 2021 via Zoom with simulcast streaming on FB live. The convergence of efforts stemmed from the shared goal of the foreign service posts to promote the general welfare of Filipinos abroad.

In his welcome address, Charge d'affaires, a.i. Christian L. de Jesus of the host Philippine Embassy in Seoul highlighted the importance of continuing Financial Literacy Education under the Embassy's flagship Program on Reintegration Preparedness for Filipinos in Korea. He encouraged the participants, especially the EPS workers to set aside an amount for their SSS contributions so that when contingencies and retirement come, they will be prepared and eligible for long term social protection and pension benefits.

The Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E. Meynardo LB. Montealegre, delivered a special message where he lauded the initiative of POLO Korea to bring the SSS membership campaign to the different Filipino communities from Vietnam, Korea and Malaysia. He emphasized the importance of social security protection and the various benefits that SSS provides to OFWs.

During the presentation, Mr. Lester Paul S. Mata, SSS Foreign Representative based in Hong Kong and with functional jurisdiction over Korea and Vietnam, pointed out that OFWs are now mandatorily covered by SSS under Republic Act 11199 (Social Security Act of 2018). He explained the benefits of regular SSS membership, as well as its expanded layers which include the Flexi-fund and the Workers' Investment and Savings Program or WISP. Mr. Mata also explained the totalization and portability benefits under the PH-ROK social security agreement which is particularly advantageous for EPS workers in Korea who are covered by its National Pension System. Responding to the concern of OFWs who have failed to pay their contributions for years, he assured them that OFWs can resume their contribution payment anytime. "Once an SSS member, always a member," Mr. Mata said.

The genuine interest of the audience to know more about retirement preparation was evident in the high turnout of 142 webinar participants, and in their active participation during the open forum. Moreover, the FB live had 1,200 views.

Labor Attache Ma. Celeste Valderrama of POLO Korea announced the possibility of an extended run of the webinar, while Labor Attache Johnson Canete of POLO Malaysia recapped the key points of the webinar in his closing message. He also expressed his appreciation for the continuing collaboration of the two POLOs in providing online seminars, and to the Philippine Embassy in Seoul led by CDA de Jesus for spearheading the event.

For those who missed the session, the video recording of the SSS webinar may still be watched in the POLO-Korea FB Page. END

28 May 2021