SSS extends microfinance program to female inmates

Female prison inmates may now apply to become a part of the Social Security System's microfinance program.

According to the state-owned pension fund in a statement issued Thursday, it launched the AlkanSSSya program to provide women in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Quezon City with opportunities to learn skills, become self-employed and generate income.

The first batch to sign up for the program will consist of 80 women. There are some 500 female inmates with pending cases currently housed in the penitentiary's QC Female Dormitory.

“Inmates have proven that they can still be productive despite incarceration by creating bags, rags and other handicrafts. With the AlkanSSSya program, they can now save even when in prison and look forward to getting social protection from SSS in the future," said SSS president and CEO Emilio de Quiros, Jr.

Those who may join the program are new SSS members and those who stopped their contributions upon entering the correctional facility.

The program also provides cabinets with secure individual compartments in which members can put their savings for their monthly contributions. Each cabinet has 160 compartments.

According to De Quiros, AlkanSSSya members will contribute at least P312 per month—which can be achieved by saving P10 a day.

“We are heartened that the program continues to gather support from informal sector workers nationwide because it really makes saving for SSS membership more convenient and affordable for them,” he added. — BM, GMA News