Marcos expands social protection access for gov’t COS, JO workers

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August 14, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  President Marcos has ordered the implementation of voluntary deduction and remittance of Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and Pag-IBIG Fund contributions of government contract of service and job order workers to ensure their access to social protection coverage.

Administrative Order No. 43 issued last June 3 said mechanisms to facilitate the voluntary deduction and remittance of contributions to the SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG Fund are necessary to promote broader social protection coverage and provide effective access to social protection benefits.

“All covered government agencies are hereby directed to facilitate the voluntary deduction of prescribed SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG Fund contributions from the compensation of COS (contract of service) and JO (job order) workers, subject to the prior consent of the worker and in accordance with RA (Republic Act) Nos. 11199, 11223, and 9679,” the order read.

“For this purpose, agencies shall ensure that appropriate mechanisms are in place to enable participation and shall provide COS and JO workers with the necessary information on available social protection coverage,” it added.

All departments, agencies, bureaus, offices and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) and state universities and colleges engaging the services of COS and JO workers are covered by the order.

They are expected to remit the deducted contributions directly to the SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG Fund, ensure the timely remittance of the contributions and implement the necessary agreements with the concerned institutions to implement the policy properly.

The order clarified that the facilitation of voluntary deduction and remittance would not amend the existing contractual relationship between state agencies and their COS and JO workers.

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

Under Joint Circular No. 1 issued by the CSC, COA and DBM in 2025, COJ and JO workers may be granted a premium, not more than 20 percent of their compensation, to cover voluntary or self-employed contributions to government-mandated social security programs.