Daily Tribune
President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. attends the 65th anniversary of the Social Security System Balikat ng Bayan Awards on Friday at its headquarters at East Avenue, Quezon City. The chief executive is joined by the Special Assistant to the Office of the President Secretary Anton Lagdameo; the SSS president,chief executive officer Michael Regino; and SSS Commissioner Diana Pardo-Aguilar on stage during the awarding. | PHOTOGRAPH BY YUMMIE DINGDING FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE @tribunephl_yumi
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Friday assured Social Security System employees that his administration would transform the state insurer into a more efficient and productive institution.
"As your president, I assure you that I commit myself to every initiative that will improve the efficiency and productivity of the SSS and thereby improve the lot and welfare of our people," Marcos said in his speech during the 65th-anniversary celebration of the SSS.
At the Ramon Magsaysay Hall of the state social insurance firm's building in East Avenue, Quezon City, Marcos also congratulated the recipients of this year's SSS Balikat ng Bayan Awards, encouraging the awardees to continue performing excellently.
"With a strong, stable, and secure SSS, I see a better and brighter future not only for its members but also for the entire country," he stressed.
Marcos recognized that for over six decades, SSS has become "a bastion of stability for every Filipino in the private sector" as it continues to expand the workers' membership coverage and provide better benefits to its members.
"And the SSS has done this by empowering our employees with equitable and world-class protection, ensuring that they will have a safety net during life's most difficult moments," he said.
"It is only fitting that as we look back at the rich history of the SSS, we highlight the achievements, your achievements in expanding membership coverage, providing enhanced benefits, improving your service capabilities to your stakeholders, and all the other services and products that you provide," he added.
The President commended the "hardworking" SSS officials and employees for their hard work and dedication that help the institution remain stable and reliable.
"I ask you to keep up the good work. I can see that the SSS still has within its DNA, the continuing service that you are giving and the sensitivity that you show to the actual conditions of our people," he said.
Timely implementation
He also praised SSS for its timely implementation of the agency's performing programs.
This includes the Contribution Subsidy Provider Program, Flexible Payment Scheme for Fishermen and Farmers, the Contribution Penalty Condonation Program, and the Consolidated Loan Program.
"With programs like these, which are timely, which are sensitive, which are aware of the condition of our employees, that is then the SSS has much reason to celebrate its 65th birthday, because the job that you have been doing continues to be of great value to our people," he emphasized.
The President is confident that the SSS would continue to embody excellence in promoting the Filipinos' welfare,
especially amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The SSS' critical role in strengthening our country's social protection is more crucial, now more than ever," he said.
"With the country recovering from the pandemic, with the country trying to recover from the shocks that are coming from the geopolitical situation around the world, still I am truly excited to see more ways in which the SSS will bring its services closer to its members and make a positive impact in the communities that you serve," he added.
SSS was established on 1 September 1957 by virtue of the Social Security Act of 1954 to serve as a government financial institution that provides social security protection to all Filipino workers.
