COMPREHENSIVE PHILIPPINE POLICY FOR SOCIAL INSURANCE AND SECURITY CRAFTING A COMPREHENSIVE PHILIPPINE POLICY FOR SOCIAL INSURANCE AND SECURITY PROGRAM OF ACTION By: Hernan Nicdao (TUCP-PTGWO) and Ana Marie Sy (FFW) Trade Union Training on Social Security Policies 04 August 2010

Background and Justification The Philippines has various government agencies providing for social security benefits for its citizens. For pensions, retirement and employment accident benefits, Social Security System (SSS) for private employees, and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for government employees; For health insurance, Philhealth, for all employees; Providing of housing loans, Pag-Ibig Fund for all employees, Unemployment insurance, and repatriation, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) only for overseas workers.

Background and Justification The several government agencies providing social security to Filipinos have their own administration and organization. This create administrative inefficiencies; duplication and mismatch in the contribution and benefit systems; and, the lack of strategic approach in fund investments. There is thus a need to draft a comprehensive policy on social insurance and security.

Background and Justification The Philippines adopt a tripartite system in the administration and management of the social security funds. Thus, labor federation officials sit at the governing boards of the SSS, GSIS, Pag-Ibig and OWWA. The two (2) biggest labor centers, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) and the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) are represented in almost all social security agencies. Its representatives have for a long time worked for the welfare and benefit of all Filipino Workers.

Target Groups Representatives of social security government agencies, including the SSS, GSIS, Pag-Ibig, Philhealth and OWWA; Labor sector groups, especially the officers and members of the TUCP, FFW and other Philippine labor federations and trade union centers; Management or employers, including trade groups and commerce chambers.

Development Objectives The primary objective of this Program of Action is to craft a comprehensive Philippine policy on social security that would provide for directions: To promote administrative efficiency; To rationalize contribution and benefit systems; and, To have a strategic approach in fund investments.

Intermediate Objectives Study and survey of the primary social security needs of the citizens. Comparative Analysis of the contributions and benefits schemes of the various security systems. Audit of the organizational and administrative structures of the various social security agencies. Review of the investment patterns, focusing on exposure on investment risks and returns.

Key Outputs Creation of a tripartite council to conduct review and assessment of present and various social security policies and programs. Creation of a tripartite body to draft comprehensive policy on social security. Presentation of draft policy to concerned sectors. Finalizing the draft policy Presentation to Philippine Congress. Lobby for enactment into law. Monitoring of execution of the law.

Timeline of Activities 00 – 01 month: Creation of a tripartite council; 01 – 04 month: Review and assessment of council of present and various social security policies and programs; 04 – 05 month: Creation of a tripartite body to draft policy; 05 – 08 month: Drafting by body of the policy; 08 – 12 month: Presentation of draft policy to concerned sectors. 12 – 14 month: Finalizing the draft policy 14 month Presentation and lobby to Philippine Congress and the President. Contingent: Monitoring of execution of the law.

Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation Preparation of monthly reports on activities, including the evaluation procedures, survey reports and minutes of meeting of the tripartite council; Preparation of progress reports and minutes of meetings of the tripartite body to drafting the policy; Evaluation of the comments of concerned sectors; Generation of the final draft of the policy; Progress reports on progress of bill in legislative mill Evaluation and monitoring reports on execution of the law.

Preliminary Budgetary Proposal ITEM Ph Peso US $ Personnel: Per Diem of Council Members Salaries of other Personnel Representation Capital Outlay: Computers Cellular Phones Maintenance and Operating Expenses: Rental Transportation Telecommunications