Injap Sia gives back with P18.2M SSS support for informal workers

CEBU, Philippines — Real estate giant DoubleDragon Corporation has officially partnered with the Social Security System (SSS) to help thousands of informal workers gain access to social security benefits.

DoubleDragon Chairman Edgar “Injap” Sia II and SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph Montes De Claro signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), making DoubleDragon a Contribution Subsidy Provider under the SSS Contribution Subsidy Provider Program (CSPP).

Through this partnership, DoubleDragon will fully cover the SSS contributions of 2,000 informal workers in Iloilo City and Roxas City for one year, amounting to a total of P18.2 million.

This initiative aims to remove financial barriers that prevent workers from securing social security protection.

“This subsidy will not only support these workers but also their families,” De Claro said. “With SSS coverage, they now have access to essential benefits, giving them a safety net in times of need.”

He also expressed his gratitude to DoubleDragon and Chairman Sia for their commitment to the program. “By stepping in as a Contribution Subsidy Provider, DoubleDragon is making a real difference in the lives of Filipino workers,” he added.

For Sia, this partnership is personal. He recalled how, in 1997, the SSS provided him with a corporate loan that helped him build his first hotel—a 59-room property in Iloilo City.

“After almost three decades, I am grateful for this opportunity to give back,” Sia said, adding that this program allows entrepreneurs like him to pay it forward and help thousands of Filipinos who need support.

Under the CSPP, private companies and government entities can subsidize the SSS contributions of self-employed workers, land-based Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and voluntary SSS members for a minimum period of six months.

By joining the program, DoubleDragon aims to uplift informal workers and extend meaningful support to those who need it most.

SSS has long supported businesses like DoubleDragon through loans and capital market issuances. Now, the company is returning the favor by helping secure the future of Filipino workers.

“As we continue this partnership, we look forward to more companies following DoubleDragon’s example in providing much-needed assistance to our workforce,” De Claro said. — (FREEMAN)