On January 29, 2026, Rizal Technological University (RTU) championed for stronger social protection and expansion of social security coverage for its Contract-of-Service (CoS) and Job Order (JO) personnel by partnering with the Social Security System (SSS).

Sealed through a Memorandum of Agreement, the partnership ensures that RTU employees are financially protected with the benefits provided by SSS, especially during contingencies such as sickness, maternity, disability, Employees’ Compensation (EC), retirement, death, and funeral.  The initiative seeks to provide CoS and JO personnel with access to essential SSS benefits, which they are often excluded from.

RTU was represented by the University President, Dr. Ma. Eugenia M. Yangco, along with Dr. Rodolfo L. Ducut, Vice President for Finance and Administration; CAOF Rowell Marasigan, Chief Administrative Officer for Finance; and Assoc. Prof. Dynehgre C. Villavicencio, Human Resource Management Office Director.

From SSS, Ms. Jennifer G. Calma, Corporate Executive Officer III of SSS Professional Sector Department and representative of Mr. Renato Jacinto S. Cuisia, the Acting Head of Account Management Group, signed the agreement, along with Ms. Annabella PollyAnne Romasoc, Branch Head of SSS Mandaluyong Shaw, and Ms. Susan Rebecca Larion, Representative Division Head of NCR.

In his message, Dr. Ducut emphasized that the partnership signifies recognition of the CoS and JO employees’ contributions to the University’s growth and development. According to him, “Ang isang protektadong empleyado, ay isang motivated na empleyado.” (A protected employee is a motivated employee.) This underscores that the new partnership was a compassionate yet strategic move for RTU. Dr. Yangco echoed and supported Dr. Ducut’s message, highlighting that employees must proactively secure themselves with the University’s support.

As an institution that highly values its workforce, the interagency partnership is just one of the initiatives of RTU that ensures the protection and champions the interests of its employees, particularly the CoS and JO personnel, whose service has been integral to Pandayang Rizalia’s institutional excellence.