The new head of the Social Security System (SSS) vowed to continue with the reforms and innovations started by the previous administration to provide better services to members and pensioners.

In a statement, Rolando Ledesma Macasaet, SSS president and chief executive officer, said Wednesday, Jan. 11, that he will continue with the path of growth started by his predecessor, Michael Gonzales Regino.

On top of that, Macasaet said he will also explore new ways for the benefit of members, pensioners, and other stakeholders.

“We will work doubly hard to provide our current members and pensioners what is just and due to them without jeopardizing the financial protection of members and future pensioners,” Macasaet said.

On Wednesday, Macasaet formally assumed the post as the 20th head of the SSS after being appointed by President Marcos last week.

Prior to his appointment, Macasaet served as president and general manager of the Government Service Insurance System during the Duterte administration.

Meanwhile, Macasaet commended Regino for his hard work and for instituting various reforms and programs that made SSS a leading social protection institution in the country today.

“PCEO Regino managed to transform the agency into a government show window of reform, efficacy, and dedicated public service,” Macasaet said.

“The records will show that under his leadership, the SSS achieved new heights in improved social security services, in better coverages and benefits to pensioners, in providing equitable loans, better investments and improved collections,” he added.

Macasaet took his Oath of Office before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin in Malacañang last Jan. 5.

Before joining SSS, Macasaet had an extensive experience in public service as he served in various leadership capacities in several state-owned firms from 1988 to 2005.

These include s the Philippine National Construction Corp. Dasmariñas Industrial Steel Corp., Skyway Corp., and Tierra Factors Corp..

Moreover, he has more than two decades of professional experience in financial services, banking, and public-private partnerships, most of it under the Philippine National Bank, which makes him a perfect fit to manage the pension fund.

He also served as a Board Member of various companies such as San Miguel Corp., Bank of Commerce, Private Infrastructure and Development Corp., and PCI Bank.

Macasaet worked for the Bank of Montreal, served as Director of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in Beijing and with the Philippine National Bank (PNB) as vice president in Los Angeles and ASEAN based in Singapore.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics, Cum Laude, from the University of the Philippines and has earned a Master of Business Administration from the same university.

He also finished an Executive Program in Finance at Columbia University and a Diploma in Management at Harvard Business School, both in the United States.