QUEZON CITY, 30 October 2026 \u2013 The Social Security System (SSS) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 21 October 2026 to expand social security protection for the country\u2019s estimated 1.5 million freelancers and virtual assistants.
SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Victor Alfonso A. Limlingan and DICT Secretary Robert Joseph M. de Claro led the signing ceremony at the DICT office in Quezon City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Limlingan said the MOU establishes a strategic partnership to strengthen the online freelancing industry through capability-building, competency development and expanded social security coverage for Filipino freelancers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA key objective of the MOU is to increase awareness, registration, membership and compliance with Republic Act No. 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018, among freelancers and online workers, ensuring broader access to social security protection,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Limlingan emphasized the importance of extending social security protection to freelancers and virtual assistants, noting that they play an increasingly vital role in the country\u2019s digital economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFreelancers and virtual assistants are an important and growing segment of our workforce. By bringing them into the SSS coverage, we ensure that they, too, can access the same protection and benefits enjoyed by other workers\u2014whether in times of sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, or even death,\u201d Limlingan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that the partnership reflects the SSS\u2019 commitment to leave no worker behind.
\u201cOur goal is simple: no Filipino worker should be left without social security protection. Through this MOU with DICT, we are taking a significant step toward making social security more accessible, more relevant, and more responsive to the needs of our digital workforce,\u201d Limlingan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through the partnership, freelancers and virtual assistants will be encouraged to register as self-employed SSS members, making them eligible for benefits such as sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, funeral and death benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As self-employed members, they may also apply for SSS loan programs, including salary loans, the Emergency Loan Program and the SSS Micro Loan Program. Members may likewise obtain additional coverage under the Employees\u2019 Compensation (EC) Program for work-related sickness, disability or death.
The SSS contribution rate currently stands at 15%. For self-employed members, the Monthly Salary Credit used to determine contributions ranges from P5,000 to P35,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Limlingan said the lowest monthly contribution is P760, consisting of P750 for the regular SSS contribution and P10 for the Employees\u2019 Compensation contribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe highest monthly contribution is P5,280, composed of P3,000 for the regular SSS contribution, P30 for the EC contribution and P2,250 for the Mandatory Provident Fund,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the MOU, the SSS and DICT will also explore joint initiatives on freelancer education, partnerships, job creation and matching, advocacy activities and the monitoring of program outcomes to support the growth and sustainability of the freelancing ecosystem. (JOHN D. OBLANCA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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QUEZON CITY, 30 October 2026 – The Social Security System (SSS) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6981,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,44],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6980","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-national"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t