Marcos commits to ensure efficiency in SSS

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Friday he would support all efforts that would improve the efficiency of the Social Security System (SSS) in providing services to the general public.

“As your President, I assure you that I commit myself to every initiative that will improve the efficiency and productivity of the SSS,” Marcos said during the SSS 65th Anniversary Balikat ng Bayan Awards held in Quezon City.

Marcos acknowledged the SSS’ critical role in strengthening the Philippines’ social protection as he said this is more crucial at present, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“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 to which the SSS will bring its services closer to its members and make a positive impact in the communities that you serve,” he added.

The President cited the SSS programs under his administration, which have extended services and assistance to Filipinos, such as the Contribution Subsidy Program, the Contribution Penalty Condonation Program, and the Flexible Payment Scheme for fishermen and farmers.

"I would just like to quote these programs that we have just begun, since this new administration began. The implementation of the Contribution Subsidy Provider Program. Inaalalayan natin ‘yung mga hindi masyado makapagbayad at naghahanap tayo ng paraan para hindi naman siya, hindi naman sila masyadong mabigat ang kanilang hinaharap na pangangailangan, especially during the pandemic," he said.

"Also, the scheme—the flexible payment scheme for fishermen and farmers. Alam naman natin na dito sa pandemyang ito, sila talaga ang tinamaan nang husto at sila ang nais natin gustong tulungan dahil sila ang pundasyon ng ating ekonomiya, sila ang nagbubuhay sa ating lahat," he added.

The chief executive commended the SSS "because the job that you have been doing continues to be of great value to our people."

"The job that you are doing is exactly the job that we had asked you to do–to provide the safety nets, to provide the guarantees for our people, when tragedy strikes, when crisis strikes, and when people are just going about their daily business," he said.

Marcos also encouraged the SSS “to always embody excellence in all that you do and put the best interest of the Filipino people above everything else in your endeavors.”

Also in attendance during the event were Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, and SSS President Michael Regino.—AOL, GMA News