CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga— The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region has partnered with the Social Security System (SSS) to help qualified job order and contract of service personnel in Nueva Ecija access social protection benefits.

Artemio P. Almazan Jr., head of the DENR provincial office in Nueva Ecija, said the agreement, under the SSS KaSSSangga sa Coverage Program, aims to facilitate the remittance of SSS and Employees’ Compensation contributions for qualified personnel who are not covered by the Government Service Insurance System.

It also allows eligible regular and permanent employees to continue contributing to the SSS as voluntary members, with assistance from the agency.

The initiative supports Administrative Order No. 43, issued on June 3, 2026, which promotes mechanisms for the voluntary deduction and remittance of contributions to the SSS, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Pag-IBIG Fund to broaden access to social protection benefits.

DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo said the partnership underscores the Department’s commitment to employee welfare, recognizing the contributions of its workforce to environmental protection and public service delivery.

“Providing our personnel with access to social security is an important step toward ensuring their well-being and financial security. Through partnerships such as this, we are strengthening our commitment to an inclusive workplace where our employees and service personnel are informed of their rights, understand their benefits, and have access to available social protection programs,” Pablo said.

SSS Cabanatuan City Branch Manager Elizabeth Gabon highlighted the importance of partnerships in making social protection programs more accessible to Filipino workers, noting that this will help qualified personnel access available benefits and strengthen workforce protection. (DEND CL PR)