Marcos grants voluntary deduction of SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG to gov't COS, JO workers

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has issued an administrative order extending social protection coverage to contract of service (COS) and job order (JO) workers in the government.

Under Administrative Order (AO) No. 43, the President allowed the voluntary deduction and remittance of Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), and Pag-IBIG Fund contributions from the compensation of COS and JO government workers, subject to their consent.

The order covers all departments, agencies, bureaus, offices, and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and state universities and colleges (SUCs), engaging the services of individual COS and JO workers.

Local government units (LGUs) were likewise encouraged to observe the provisions of the order.

Concerned government agencies were also directed to ensure that appropriate mechanisms are in place to enable the participation of COS and JO workers and provide them with the necessary information on available social protection coverage.

They were also ordered to remit the deducted contributions directly to the SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG Fund within the prescribed periods.

Specifically, agencies must “ensure the timely remittance of such contributions and execute the necessary agreements with the concerned institutions to facilitate proper implementation.”

The AO also noted that the facilitation of voluntary deduction and remittance shall not alter, amend, or modify the existing contractual relationship between government agencies and their COS or JO workers.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Commission on Audit (COA), SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG Fund were directed to jointly issue the necessary rules, guidelines, and accounting procedures to ensure the effective implementation of the order.

The AO was signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, by the authority of the President, on June 3, 2026. — RSJ, GMA News