The Social Security System (SSS) and motorcycle taxi firm Angkas have entered into an agreement aimed at extending social security protection to partner bikers serving in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro City.
In a statement, Rolando Ledesma Macasaet, SSS president and chief executive officer, said the partnership would benefit approximately 30,000 Angkas partner bikers across these three urban centers in the Philippines.
“Considering the high risk of their profession by being in the field most of the time, Angkas partner bikers need a solid protection that they something to turn to in cases of emergencies,” Macasaet said.
“With this agreement, SSS will give them the social security protection that they need,” he added.
Last Aug. 1, Macasaet and George Ilagan Royeca, Angkas chief executive officer signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) outlining the social security protection scheme.
Macasaet is now urging other companies in the ride-sharing and food delivery industry to follow Angkas’s lead and ensure their partner riders and drivers become members of the SSS.
Under the agreement, Angkas partner bikers will be considered as self-employed SSS members, granting them access to various social security benefits, including sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, funeral, and death benefits.
Maria Rita S. Aguja, SSS Senior Vice President for National Capital Region (NCR) Operations, said that bikers can also take advantage of SSS loan programs, such as salary and calamity loans, to receive financial aid for their immediate requirements.
“On top of SSS benefits, they will also get additional coverage from the Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program for work-related sickness, disability or death,” Aguja, who also leads the Task Force on the Coverage of Angkas Riders, said.
She said that Angkas will serve as an authorized Coverage and Collection Partner of SSS. “Angkas can collect the monthly contributions of its active partner bikers and remit it to the SSS,” she added.
Meanwhile, SSS Executive Vice President for Branch Operations Sector Voltaire P. Agas said that currently, the SSS contribution rate stands at 14 percent.
The monthly salary credit (MSC) used to determine the amount of monthly contribution ranges from P4,000 to P30,000 for self-employed members.
Agas said that the lowest monthly contribution is pegged at P570, consisting of P560 for the regular SSS contribution and P10 for the EC contribution.
“On the other hand, the highest monthly contribution is P4,230, composed of P2,800 for the regular SSS contribution, P30 for the EC contribution, and P1,400 for the mandatory MySSS Pension Booster.”
He explained that, for example, if the Angkas partner riders earn P13,000 monthly, they will have a combined SSS and EC monthly contribution payment of P1,830.
He said that partner bikers earning P20,250 and above will also contribute to the mandatory MySSS Pension Booster, which ranges from P70 to P1,400 per month in addition to the SSS and EC contributions.
“For example, if the Angkas partner riders are getting P23,750 monthly, they will be contributing P2,800 for the regular SSS contribution, P30 for the EC contributions, and P560 for the mandatory MySSS Pension Booster every month,” he added.
He concluded that with this agreement, SSS commits itself to promoting the welfare of Angkas riders and their families by providing them with social security benefits.