SSS honors employers, partners for support of social security programs

QUEZON CITY — The Philippine Social Security System (SSS) has recognized employers, financial institutions, government agencies, media organizations and other partners for their contributions to the state pension fund’s programs and services.

The awards were presented on Monday, September 21 during the annual Balikat ng Bayan Awards ceremony at the SSS corporate office in Quezon City, as part of the agency’s anniversary celebrations.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph M. de Claro said the awards recognized organizations that had supported the agency’s efforts to extend social security protection to Filipino workers and their beneficiaries.

“The success of the SSS in protecting the welfare of the Filipino workforce is anchored on its strong ties with employers and partners,” de Claro said, according to the agency.

SSS said it honored two top employers, four collection partners, four disbursement partners, three accredited partner agents and 11 media organizations.

Six other organizations received special citations.

Golden Arches Development Corporation and Lachi’s Dessert Bakery Inc. were named Top Employer Award winners in the Large Accounts and Branch Accounts categories, respectively.

According to SSS, the employer awards were based on compliance with provisions of Republic Act No. 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018.

The criteria included online submission of employment reports, accurate and updated contribution payments, proper remittance of member loan payments and timely filing of sickness and maternity notifications.

SSS also cited the employers’ participation in its digital services and the familiarity of their human resources personnel with SSS programs.

The agency named Union Bank of the Philippines, Rang-ay Bank Inc., CIS Bayad Center Inc. and Ventaja International Corporation as its Best Collection Partners in the universal/commercial bank, thrift/rural bank, non-bank and overseas partner categories, respectively.

For disbursement services, SSS recognized BDO Unibank Inc. as Best Universal/Commercial Bank, Philippine Savings Bank as Best Thrift Bank, BDO Network Bank Inc. as Best Rural Bank and Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation’s DiskarTech as Best Digital Bank.

SSS said the disbursement awards were based on the partners’ performance in releasing benefits and monthly pensions to members and pensioners.

The agency also recognized the Local Government Unit of Valencia as Best KaSSSangga Collect Partner, First Community Cooperative as Best Cooperative Partner and Community Saving and Credit Association Farmers as Best AlkanSSSya Program Partner.

SSS said the accredited partner agents helped expand its reach among self-employed workers, land-based overseas Filipino workers and voluntary members.

Media organizations were also recognized.

Philippine Daily Inquirer, Laguna Courier and Negros Now Daily were named Best Print Media Partner for the National Capital Region, Luzon and Visayas, respectively.

DZMM TeleRadyo, CARE 104.3 DWAY FM, 91.7 Ben FM and 91.1 Max FM Tacurong City received the Best Broadcast Media Partner awards for the NCR, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao categories.

The agency named Arlie Calalo of The Manila Times, Geronimo Dig of 104.9 XFM Santiago City, Ionnes Omang of DYVL Aksyon Radyo Tacloban and Reynaldo Pallorina of 91.1 Max FM Tacurong City as its Best Media Personalities for the NCR, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, respectively.

SSS also gave special citations to Development Bank of the Philippines for government securities, First Metro Investments Corporation for corporate bonds, Land Bank of the Philippines for various SSS transactions, DoubleDragon Corporation for contribution subsidy support, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Commission on Filipinos Overseas as partner government agencies.

The Balikat ng Bayan Awards was established in 1995 to recognize individuals and organizations that SSS says have helped it deliver services and programs to members in the Philippines and abroad.