30,000 Angkas partner riders to get social security protection from SSS

Social Security System (SSS) President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet (left) and Angkas Chief Executive Officer George Ilagan Royeca (right) on August 1 signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that will give social security protection to about 30,000 Angkas partner bikers operating in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro City.

Macasaet lauded Angkas for taking the initiative to secure the future of its partner bikers through SSS membership and giving them access to the social security benefits they deserve.

“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. With this agreement, SSS will give them the social security protection that they need,” Macasaet said.

Macasaet said that Angkas-SSS partnership carries the tagline “AngkaSSS na sa Protektadong Bukas,” which reflects the SSS’ aim of providing social security coverage and old-age pension to all working Filipinos.

Macasaet called on other ride-sharing and food delivery platform companies to imitate Angkas’s initiative and take the necessary steps to make their partner riders and drivers SSS members.

Under the agreement, SSS Senior Vice President for National Capital Region (NCR) Operations Group Maria Rita S. Aguja explained that partner bikers will be classified as self-employed SSS members. They will gain access to a wide range of social security benefits such as sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, funeral, and death.

Aguja, who also chairs the Task Force on the Coverage of Angkas Riders, said that they can also apply for SSS loan programs such as salary and calamity, providing them with financial assistance for their immediate needs.

“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 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%. 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.