SSS chief Macasaet steps down

CEBU, Philippines — The Social Security System (SSS) has announced that its President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rolando Ledesma Macasaet, has resigned from his post effective October 6, following almost two years of service with the state-run pension fund.

The agency, however, did not elaborate the details of the resignation and as to who will be taking over the reins at SSS for the meantime.

Macasaet, who has been the head of SSS since January 5, 2023, was also Vice Chairperson of the Social Security Commission, the SSS' policy-making body. Throughout his tenure, he championed the goal of ensuring every Filipino receives a pension.

Under his leadership, SSS intensified membership drives, extending social security coverage to all, including those in remote areas. He launched initiatives to bring services closer to grassroots communities and implemented programs benefiting SSS employees nationwide.

One of his notable achievements as SSS Chief is expanding access to social security protection for more Filipinos through extensive membership coverage drives nationwide.

Under his leadership, SSS recorded a historic high of three million new members from January to September 2024, more than double the number of new members recorded during the same period last year.

"SSS typically averages around one million new members annually in previous years. However, for just the first half of 2024, we have already doubled that number due to our intensified efforts," Macasaet said in a statement.

With this progress, SSS is optimistic reaching four to five million new members by year-end. Macasaet advocated for SSS coverage for job order (JO), contract of service (COS), and barangay workers who are not included in the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) due to their employment status.

During his term, over half a million JO, COS, and barangay workers in government can now access social security benefits through the KaSSSangga Collect Program.

The KaSSSangga Collect Program aims to provide essential SSS coverage to JO, COS, and barangay workers serving local government units (LGUs), national government agencies (NGAs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and local water districts.

As of August 2024, there are more than 3,300 KaSSSangga Collect partners across the country.

Macasaet acknowledged the necessity of delivering government services to communities through innovative initiatives like SSS eWheels and SSS E-Center sa Barangay.

SSS eWheels traveled to remote barangays with SSS vehicles equipped with laptops and staffed by branch personnel to provide services to members in grassroots communities.

SSS also launched the E-Center sa Barangay, a collaboration with local government units (LGUs) to establish an SSS E-Center that will be operated by barangay personnel trained to assist their kabarangay in using the My.SSS Portal.

By bringing services directly to the doorsteps of these communities, he helped many recognize the importance of SSS membership.

Macasaet spearheaded the launch of the MySSS Pension Booster, the rebranded Worker’s Investment and Savings Program (WISP), and WISP Plus, designed to assist members in enhancing their savings and retirement funds.

The program offers a target annual return rate of up to 7.2 percent this year.

Members will receive their accumulated savings in the MySSS Pension Booster as a lump sum and/or monthly pension upon retirement, tax-free, along with their retirement benefits from the Regular SSS Program.

"Saving for retirement should commence from the first day you start earning money. The optimal time to begin is today while you are young. When you retire, you will appreciate the immense value of establishing a retirement fund early in your life,” Macasaet said.

Since assuming SSS leadership, Macasaet has advocated for the relocation of SSS branch offices to shopping malls nationwide, enhancing accessibility for members and employers.

In addition to their strategic locations, Macasaet noted that SSS can save nearly P1 billion because shopping mall owners provide SSS with office spaces that are rent-free for five years.

“We also achieve savings on renovation costs since the mall operators cover the renovation fit-out works, including architectural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing tasks,” he added.

Unveiling an enhanced

SSS website

Macasaet demonstrated his commitment to continuous improvement by launching the new SSS website, which features an easy-to-navigate design, enhancing the user experience for members and employers.

He played a crucial role in revitalizing SSS's brand identity on its 67th anniversary through the “SSS Brand Refresh,” ensuring it accurately reflects the organization’s commitment to delivering accessible, reliable, and compassionate support to its members and their families both in the Philippines and worldwide.

These initiatives are part of SSS's pledge to modernize its approach and service delivery to better meet the diverse needs of Filipino workers. — (FREEMAN)