SSS, Tesda Bataan to execute agreement on trainees’ membership

BALANGA CITY, Bataan –The Social Security System (SSS) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Bataan are scheduled to sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on SSS membership of Dual Training System (DTS) trainees in the province on Friday, according to SSS Mariveles Branch Manager Jordan Herrera.

“The MOA signing is scheduled on February 26 at SSS Balanga Office”, he added.

SSS executives Professional and Informal Sectors Department Assistant Vice President Noel Coyupan and Luzon Group Senior Vice President Josie Magana, accompanied by Balanga Branch Manager Joel Villafuerte and Herrera, met last November TESDA Bataan Provincial Director Grace Castillo regarding the agreement.

“The program is being discussed with TESDA higher ups for the possibility of making it a policy to be implemented nationwide”,TESDA Bataan provincial director earlier disclosed.

Herrera pointed out that their target is to make all TESDA DTS trainees in the country become SSS members. “DTS trainees have income and they will be registered as self-employed employees”, he explained.

DTS is a training modality implemented by TESDA that combines theoretical and practical training. It is called dual training because learning takes place alternately in two venues: the school or training center and the company or workshop.

Herrera said SSS is working to expand its membership particularly among the informal sectors of the society.

In Bataan, tricycles operators and drivers, members of homeowners associations, some barangays, LGU job order employees, vendors, and inmates have become members of the social security through diligent effort of SSS Bataan officers like Herrera.