SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG registration drive for artists to be held on April 7

Despite the numerous economic and humanistic contributions of artists to society, most of them do not have the benefit of health insurance, housing, disability, retirement, and death benefits. Time and again, an artist desperately cries out for help from friends, who are, themselves, artists with no social security. Artists are most often left to fend for themselves in old age, or when illness—mental or physical—strike.

The Artists Welfare Project, Inc. or AWPI, a non-profit, non-government organization set up by Filipino artists from various disciplines to contribute to artists’ well-being, pursues its goals by 1) tapping into government agencies that provide welfare benefits to Filipino citizens; 2) by mounting self-help mechanisms; and by 3) pushing for legislation that will provide long-term solutions to Filipino artists’ vulnerable conditions. AWPI has recently been exploring collaborations with the SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG Fund in an effort to contribute to the security of Filipino artists.

On April 7 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, AWPI will mount an SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG orientation/registration/membership updating for artists who are not yet members of these agencies, or are old members but are inactive.

NCR-based artists or those visiting from other regions are welcome to attend, provided they are Filipino citizens, 18 years old and above, and with the following qualifications:

 1)   * Literary artist  – has authored 5 poems or 2 short stories

2)    * Dance artist – has participated in 5 productions

3)    * Music artist – has participated in 5 productions

4)    * Theatre artist – has done 5 performances

5)    * Film artist – has done 5 performances

6)    * Architect – has participated in 5 architectural projects

7)    * Visual artist and Photographer – has participated in 5 exhibits

8)    * Traditional artist – has practiced any of the following: weaving, embroidery, basketry, traditional house-building, pottery, traditional chant, traditional dance, and other forms of traditional knowledge with a creative/aesthetic aspect

       * Technical support/crew (i.e. lighting technician, sound engineer, make-up artist, etc.) – has participated in 5 productions

Artists who wish to serviced by SSS officers, specifically, are requested to submit in advance the following information to Ryan Murillo, AWPI Admin Staff at 0927-5753531 or artistswelfareproject@gmail.com:

• Name:
• SSS number:
• Birth date:
• Name of last employer (if applicable):

For the onsite registration, participants are asked to bring:

• their birth certificate (issued by the NSO or certified by the Local Civil Registrar),
• their baptismal certificate, and
• 2 valid IDs issued by government.

Monthly contributions (depending on each artist's income) will be paid afterwards in SSS-credited banks, payment centers, or SSS branches.

Those who wish to register or update their membership with Philhealth should be prepared to pay P600.00 for a quarterly payment (minimum for the self-employed); P1,200.00 for a 6 month-payment; or 2,400.00 for an annual payment.

Pag-ibig requirements are to follow, but monthly contribution is also a minimum of P200.00.

Artists in other regions are  also encouraged to organize so that AWPI can facilitate similar events in their areas.

For further information, artists may contact Ryan Murillo, AWPI Admin Staff, at 0927-5753531, or artistswelfareproject@gmail.com.

Press release from The Artists Welfare Project, Inc.