50
The right to social security of the workers in the informal economy/ sector
that were able to avail of the cash assistance extended by the and Transportation Franchising
and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) through Facebook, a social networking site.
The participants did not discuss the accessibility considerations and design provisions
or measures in the infrastructure and buildings of the concerned government agencies,
particularly those that relate to the specific needs of the persons with disabilities because they
claim they do not need them.
In terms of turnaround time for claims processing with the SSS, 55 percent asserted that
it took them more than five (5) working days before their applications were processed. But
what is significant is that the participants observed that processing times for persons with
disabilities and older persons were faster compared to regular applications. The delays could
not entirely be attributed to the service providers as some of the participants averred that due
to incomplete documentary requirements, the application could not be immediately processed.
It is worth mentioning that some participants did not have legal proof of identity such as a birth
registration certificate and this has been one of the barriers in accessing social protection
coverage, among others. With PhilHealth, those who were able to claim health coverage
asserted that it only took them two (2) days.
For the 4Ps beneficiaries, they maintained that they receive their cash grants on time
because it is being released through an automated teller machine (ATM). As far as the LGUs
are concerned, 11.11 percent stressed that the processing time of the Senior Citizen Cards was
more than one (1) month. In fact, the discussion revealed that it took the participant 141 around
eight (8) months to receive the initial benefit.
As for the Social Amelioration Program during the lockdown, 11.11 percent likewise
mentioned that two (2) to three (3) months passed before they were able to actually receive
their emergency cash subsidy.
The report shows that there are several channels where the benefits under the social
security programs may be claimed i.e. banks or ATMs, money transfer services, such as
Palawan Express or M Lhuillier, digital payment applications like GCash or Paymaya, and
physical delivery of the cash assistance to recipients. The cash benefits may likewise be
received by persons authorized by the beneficiaries in case the latter may not be able to receive
them personally. 1 of the groups claimed, however, that while it is allowed to claim the benefits
through an authorized representative, they still experienced difficulty in doing so.
141
Consultation with the workers in the informal economy/sector, supra note 119.
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents