FRANKFURT 28 June 219 — The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt hosted a seminar on Social Security System (SSS), Pag-IBIG and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) services at the Consulate General on 8 June 2019.

Pag-IBIG Representative Mylene Lontoc and SSS Representative Marie Jessielyn Sia delivered presentations on the services provided by their respective agencies while Consul Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. delivered the presentation on behalf of OWWA, after giving a briefing on consular services offered by the Consulate General.

Consul General to Frankfurt Evelyn Austria-Garcia thanked those who attended the seminar and noted that many Filipinos in Germany were not fully aware of the huge benefits and savings from becoming a member of SSS and Pag-IBIG. “They were surprised to find out that interest offered by the SSS and Pag-IBIG were higher than commercial banks“, she added.

Ms. Lontoc confirmed that active members of Pag-IBIG who have decided to increase their contribution or deposit, are expected to benefit most from the Fund’s enhanced interest rates. Ms. Sia reminded SSS members to complete the minimum number of 120 contributions or ten years, in order to be eligible for pension.

Participants of the seminar availed themselves of individual consultations to inquire about the status of their membership, as well as to update their contributions. Filipino-Germans can continue paying their monthly or advance contributions through the accredited remittance agent in Germany, or through their relatives in the Philippines.

Consul General Garcia encouraged Filipino-Germans to take advantage of their improved financial position, to upgrade their investments in SSS and Pag-IBIG in order to better prepare themselves for the future. She said that the successful outcome of the seminar has inspired the Consulate General to consider making the event a regular activity, including in its consular outreach mission. END