SSS opens penalty condonation program for short-term member loans

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Member-borrowers with past due short-term loans may apply for the Social Security System’s (SSS) Penalty Condonation Program via online using their My.SSS accounts starting November 15, 2021 up to February 14, 2022.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Ignacio said that the Short-term Member Loan Penalty Condonation Program (STMLPCP) is part of the Pandemic Relief and Restructuring Programs (PRRP 5) being offered by SSS.

“Our heart goes to our members who were greatly affected during this pandemic and yet they try their best to get back on their feet. SSS is always here to extend not only in a form of cash benefits and loan privileges but also conditional condonation which provides financial relief by waiving their accumulated penalties once their loan principal and interest are fully paid.” Ignacio said.

Included in the program are those with outstanding Salary, Calamity, Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP), Emergency Loans and Restructured Loan under the Loan Restructuring Program (LRP) implemented in 2016 to 2019.


Qualified applicants are as follows:

Members with short term member loans that are past due for at least six (6) months as of the first day of the condonation availment period;

Members who have not been granted any final benefit such as permanent total disability or retirement;

Members who have not been disqualified due to fraud committed against the SSS;
Members who will file their final benefits application for permanent total disability or retirement, whose contingency date is on or before the last day of the availment period of the condonation program; and

Heirs or beneficiaries of deceased member borrowers who will file the death benefit application, whose contingency date is on or before the last day of the availment period of the condonation program.

For member-borrowers who will pay their consolidated loan under instalment basis, their age must be under 65 years old at the end of the instalment term.

Under the STMLPCP, the total amount of the outstanding principal and interest of the member’s past due loans shall be consolidated and settled through the following arrangements:

One-time full payment, in a single payment transaction, within 30 calendar days from the receipt of notice of approval of the STML Penalty Condonation Application.

Installment term - member should pay the 50 percent of the consolidated loan in full, in a single payment transaction, within 30 calendar days from the receipt of the notice of approval of the STML Penalty Condonation Application. Meanwhile, the remaining 50 percent of the consolidated loan will become Restructured Loan 1 (RL1) and shall be paid in six equal monthly installments starting from the month following the end of the 30-calendar day period.

“Please do take note that no staggered/partial payment shall be allowed for the consolidated loan under one-time payment or 50% down payment under installment term even if the required payment is completed within the 30-day period,” Ignacio said.

For member-borrowers who are 65 years old or older who will choose not to file their final benefit claim within the availment period, they may only avail the one-time payment. Whereas, member-borrowers and heirs or beneficiaries of deceased members whose contingency date is on or before the last day of the availment period should file their benefit claim within the availment period of the penalty condonation program and shall only be allowed to avail of the one-time payment scheme through deduction from the benefit proceeds.

Applicants except the final benefit filers shall pay their consolidated loan using the SSS-issued Payment Reference Number (PRN) with the amount and due date for each required payment.

RL1 has an annual interest rate of three percent computed on a decreasing principal balance over the six-month payment term. Every unpaid/late payment shall be charged a one percent penalty per month.

Other terms and conditions under the loan penalty condonation can be viewed in SSS Circular 2021-014 which can be accessed through this link https://bit.ly/3GEzwhf.
For accurate information and updates on SSS programs and benefits, visit and follow SSS on Facebook and YouTube at “Philippine Social Security System,” Instagram at “mysssph,” Twitter at “PHLSSS,” join its Viber Community at “MYSSSPH Updates,” or visit the uSSSapTayo Portal at https://crms.sss.gov.ph/.

Sheraton Manila Bay Bags Awards at the 2021 Philippine Culinary Cup

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Sheraton Manila Bay’s Sous Chef Daryl Vance Yulo Sy wins Silver and Bronze at Philippine Culinary Cup

The Philippine Culinary Cup (PCC), one of the most awaited and prestigious culinary competition in the country was held recently at the SM Megamall, Megatrade Hall. The PCC is the only culinary competition endorsed by the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) in the Philippines which serves an internationally-recognized platform for Filipino chefs to hone their skills and showcase their talents in the culinary field. The culinary competition was made possible with the collaboration of the LTB Chefs Association Philippines, the Pastry Alliance of the Philippines and PEPTarsus Corp. and holds the highest standard in culinary competition guidelines allowing only accredited WACS judges for each category.

Competing with participants from different hotels, restaurants, and culinary schools, Sheraton Manila Bay stands triumphant at this year’s competition as Hotel Sous Chef Daryl Vance Yulo Sy successfully bags Silver award in “US Lamb” category and Bronze awards in “US Beef” category.

Chef Daryl Vance Yulo Sy is Sheraton Manila Bay Sous Chef. Sample his delectable menu at Sheraton Manila Bay’s Pre-dinner cocktails every Friday and Saturday evening or take home his newest delectable gourmet creation “Croll Burger” available at the Sheraton Kiosk located at Robinsons Place Manila, Level 1, Padre Faura Entrance.

For reservation please call +632 5318 0788 or email reservations.manilabay@sheraton.com. Like us on Facebook and Instagram @sheratonmanilabay and Twitter at @sheratonmnlbay.

Norwegian cruise line resumes sailings from Orlando

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The Company’s Great Cruise Comeback Continues with Voyages from Port Canaveral Sailing the Eastern Caribbean


Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel continues its Great Cruise Comeback celebration, resuming voyages today aboard Norwegian Escape from Orlando, Fla. (Port Canaveral) to the Eastern Caribbean. Norwegian Escape, the first of the Brand's successful Breakaway Plus Class ships becomes the eighth vessel in the Company's 17-ship fleet to resume operations.

"We have welcomed back more than 110,000 guests worldwide as part of our global redeployment efforts," said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. "Our Great Cruise Comeback stems beyond the relaunch of our vessels but also the return of our shipboard team members who have been excited to return to deliver unforgettable vacations experiences to our guests."

Norwegian Escape will sail from Port Canaveral near Orlando offering seven-day voyages to the Eastern Caribbean visiting major ports including Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Great Stirrup Cay, the company's private island in the Bahamas. On 23 December, 2021, she will embark on an 11-day holiday journey visiting nine destination-rich ports of call where guests can celebrate Christmas Day in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and partake in New Year's Eve festivities in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands before continuing their voyage to Bridgetown, Barbados and St. John's Antigua.

Also sailing from Port Canaveral will be the Brand's newest and most in-demand ship ever launched Norwegian Prima. From 11 December, 2022, to 19 March, 2023, Norwegian Prima will homeport in Orlando, sailing 15 roundtrip Western Caribbean voyages featuring five, seven, and nine-day port-rich itineraries visiting notable destinations, including Cozumel, Mexico; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, and NCL's private island, Great Stirrup Cay, in the Bahamas.

NCL's Great Cruise Comeback to redeploy its entire fleet began on 25 July, 2021 when Norwegian Jade was the first vessel to set sail with seven-day itineraries to the Greek Isles after a 500-day suspension. Since then, the Brand has relaunched seven additional ships with more vessels to resume operations in December 2021 and into 2022.

The Company's fleetwide redeployment will continue in partnership with local governments and are guided by the robust protocols of the Company's Sail Safe health and safety program, which at its cornerstone requires that all crew and guests must be fully vaccinated to embark on all NCL voyages for the foreseeable future. Working with the leading experts of the SailSAFE™ Global Health and Wellness Council, the robust protocols will be regularly evaluated and modified as needed, making science-based decisions to protect guests, crew and the destinations it visits. As protocols evolve and additional information becomes available, updates will be published at www.ncl.com/sail-safe.

NCL invites travellers to witness its return to cruise journey with its pioneering five-part docuseries "EMBARK – The Series," showcasing a behind-the-scenes look at the ongoing measures for a healthy and safe return to cruising. The entire first season is available on-demand at www.ncl.com/embark. Watch all five episodes and the full suite of EMBARK content including Stories and Spotlights.

For more information about the Company’s award-winning 17-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call Hong Kong on +852 2165 6000 and Southeast Asia on +65 3165 1680 or visit www.ncl.com.