EMBASSY AND POLO WELCOME SSS DELEGATION FOR BILATERAL TALKS ON SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH ISRAEL 

 16 November 2007—Charge d’Affaires, a.i. Gilberto G.B. Asuque meets the members of the  Social Security Services (SSS) delegation headed by Mr. Horacio T. Templo (3^rd R, 2^nd row), Chief Actuary and Executive Vice President, SSS.  The delegation is in Israel for the final round of talks on 12 and 13 November 2007 with their counterparts in the National Insurance Institute of Israel (NII) to finalize the text of the “Agreement on Social Security Between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the State of Israel.”  The bilateral talks, to be held in Jerusalem, will address the administrative provisions of the agreement.  The substantive and technical provisions were already agreed by the SSS and NII during the previous rounds of meetings in Manila.  The agreement will greatly benefit OFWs in Israel by ensuring medical coverage for occupational diseases and employment accidents, maternity benefits and medical  benefits for family members in Israel.   Also in the photo are Ms. Judy Frances A. See (1^st R, 2^nd row), Vice President, International Affairs and Branch Expansion Division; Atty. Valentin C. Guanio (2^nd R, 2^nd row), Vice President, Legal Services Group, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation; Atty. Roberto B. Bautista (4^th R, 2^nd row), Head International Affairs Department; Mrs. Merriam Cuasay (1^st R, 1^st row), Labor Attaché; Mrs. Zenobia Caro (partly hidden), Welfare Officer, and Mr. Chester Omaga-Diaz (3^rd R, 1^st row), Trade, Tourism and Cultural Attaché.  (Embassy photo)

/Gary