SOME outstanding employers and partners including the media that have helped the Social Security System (SSS) provide social security protection to Filipino workers were honored during an awarding ceremony held in the SSS 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.
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 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.
He 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.
Golden Arches Development Corp. and Lachi’s Dessert Bakery Inc. were named as this year’s Top Employer Award winners for the Large Accounts and Branch Accounts categories, respectively.
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 Corp. (Overseas Partner).
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 Corp.’s DiskarTech was recognized as Best Digital Bank.
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.
The Best Media Partner awards were given to seven organizations and four reporters/anchors. Philippine Daily Inquirer was named Best Print Media Partner — National Capital Region, 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 the Best Media Personality in Luzon. Ionnes Omang of DYVL Aksyon Radyo Tacloban emerged the Best Media Personality in Visayas and Reynaldo Pallorina of 91.1 Max FM Tacurong City the Best Media Personality in Mindanao.
Aside from CFO, the SSS also gave special citations to the following for their contributions to promoting SSS programs and services: Development Bank of the Philippines, First Metro Investments Corp., Land Bank of the Philippines, DoubleDragon Corp. and Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Balikat ng Bayan Awards was established in 1995, and is one of the major highlights of SSS anniversary celebrations every September.
