MANILA, Philippines – Outstanding employers and partners, including from the media that have helped the Social Security System (SSS) provide social security protection to Filipino workers, whether locally employed or overseas, and their beneficiaries, have been honored during an awarding ceremony in its central office in Quezon City.
This year’s "Balikat ng Bayan" Awards celebrated the exemplary contributions and steadfast commitment of employers and partner organizations in supporting SSS’ mission to ensure that every member is protected and every family’s future is secured, SSS president and CEO Robert Joseph de Claro said.
He said the state pension fund paid tribute to two top employers, four collection partners, four disbursement partners, three accredited partner agents, and 11 media organizations while giving special citations to six other partners during the ceremony led by Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) Secretary Dante Francis Ang II.
“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.
The SSS chief executive stressed that through their continued support, the agency has been able to provide vital social security benefits and services to its members and their beneficiaries.
He emphasized that the Balikat ng Bayan Awards is SSS way of acknowledging their indispensable role in promoting social security protection for all.
SSS named Golden Arches Development Corporation and Lachi’s Dessert Bakery, Inc. as this year’s Top Employer Award winners for the Large Accounts and Branch Accounts categories, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Best Collection Partner awardees are Union Bank of the Philippines (Universal/Commercial Bank), Rang-ay Bank, Inc. (Thrift/Rural Bank), CIS Bayad Center, Inc. (Non-Bank), and Ventaja International Corporation (Overseas Partner).
These banks and payment channels topped their respective categories for implementing efficient collection schemes for contributions and salary loan payments, de Claro explained.
For Best Disbursement Partners, BDO Unibank Inc. was named Best Universal/Commercial Bank, Philippine Savings Bank earned Best Thrift Bank, BDO Network Bank, Inc. received Best Rural Bank, and Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation’s DiskarTech was recognized as Best Digital Bank, according to SSS.
The Best Accredited Partner Agents were the local government 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.
Meanwhile, the SSS said that Best Media Partner awards were given to seven media organizations and four reporters/anchors. Philippine Daily Inquirer was named Best Print Media Partner – National Capital Region (NCR), Laguna Courier as Best Print Media Partner – Luzon, and Negros Now Daily as Best Print Media Partner – Visayas.
The Best Broadcast Media Partner winners were DZMM TeleRadyo in NCR, CARE 104.3 DWAY FM in Luzon, 91.7 Ben FM in Visayas, and 91.1 Max FM Tacurong City in Mindanao.
Arlie Calalo of The Manila Times was named Best Media Personality in NCR. Geronimo Dig of 104.9 XFM Santiago City received the Best Media Personality in Luzon. Ionnes Omang of DYVL Aksyon Radyo Tacloban emerged as the Best Media Personality in Visayas, and Reynaldo Pallorina of 91.1 Max FM Tacurong City as the Best Media Personality in Mindanao.
Aside from CFO, the SSS also gave Special Citations to the following for their various contributions to promoting SSS programs and services: Development Bank of the Philippines, First Metro Investments Corporation, Land Bank of the Philippines, DoubleDragon Corporation and Department of Foreign Affairs.
Established in 1995, the Balikat ng Bayan Awards acknowledges the valuable contributions of individuals and organizations in helping SSS deliver quality services and programs to its members here and abroad, according to the SSS chief.
The awarding ceremony was one of the major highlights of SSS anniversary celebrations every September, he said.
