Social Protection in the Philippines

This paper highlights some common concepts and principles on social protection and discusses current issues on the social protection policy.  It also suggests ways wherein the labor sector can be an effectively partner in the determination of future social protection in the Philippines.

Among the issues mentioned that confront the administration of social protection in the country are: limited social security coverage, bias of social protection toward formal sector workers, inadequate social security benefits, and lack of a solid institutional framework for the development of a comprehensive social protection package.  The paper recommends that labor should have a better understanding of the effects of social security on workers’ lives; know the actual and not just the perceived social security needs of its constituents; have a technical knowledge on structuring of benefits; and take the initiative in ensuring  well-managed social security funds.