TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- Social Security System (SSS) and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region 02 with the media launched an advocacy program on Tuesday, February 27, to promote SSS’s projects and benefits for its members.
PIA Region 02 Director Purita Licas stressed the need to strengthen promotion of other SSS programs, aside from retirement benefits, for current and future members.
Licas also revealed that, based on the results of a survey last year, Cagayan Valley region ranks second in terms of having low awareness of SSS benefits and programs, just behind Region 04-A and ahead of Region 09.
The results of the said survey showed that Region 2, particularly Isabela and Cagayan, despite having high awareness on commonly-known SSS benefits such as maternal, death, and sickness benefits, have low awareness on SSS’s other programs.
PIA Cagayan Officer Oliver Baccay, one of those who conducted the survey, added that most SSS advocacy materials such as plug boards were deployed to other regions such as the National Capital Rrgion, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Davao.
Yet, Baccay said Region 02 will receive additional information materials.
With this, Licas said the program will be promoted through local radio and television plugs starting this March. She said commentators will also speak in broadcast media. There will also be a column feed for print and online media.
“Talagang isa-saturate natin lahat ng mga media channel so that we can really promote SSS and the benefits that can be derived from being a member of SSS,” Licas said.
“Hindi naman natin sinasabi na hindi sapat ang promotion na ginagawa ng SSS. It’s just that marami pa tayong ma-reach out by way of our partnership, making use of the broadcast, print, and the online media,” she added.
PIA will also put up kiosks which bear brochures, flyers, pamphlets, collateral, and other info materials. These will be stationed in Batanes airport, Tuguegarao airport, and in some malls.
Further, multi-sector fora and barangay fora will be held to encourage other people such as vendors, housewives, and tricycle drivers to apply for SSS membership.
(READ: SSS-PIA 02 urge members to be aware of SSS benefits, programs)
Meanwhile, both SSS and PIA officials expressed their commitment to the joint-advocacy campaign.
“There is nothing that we can do kung wala po kayo na tumutulong sa ating advocacy at IEC activities…Thank you in advance for the support that you will be giving,” Licas told media.
“We are very thankful for this opportunity na merong partnership between PIA and SSS. This really states the importance and significance of SSS lalung-lalo na ngayon sa ating panahon. We welcome this partnership with PIA and media partners,” Canillas said. Northernforum.net
