30K 'Angkas' riders to get SSS coverage

MORE than 30,000 ride-hailing motorcycle riders in at least three urban areas in the Philippines will soon be covered by the Social Security System (SSS) benefits and insurance protection.

Rolando Ledesma Macasaet, SSS president and chief executive officer, said on Monday that a memorandum of agreement (MoA) has been forged with ride-hailing service «Angkas» to provide social security protection to over 30,000 of its partner-riders.

In a statement sent to The Manila Times via email, Macasaet said the MoA was signed with George Royeca, Angkas chief executive officer, during a ceremony held at SSS central office in Quezon City.

Macasaet lauded the initiative of Angkas management to secure the future of its partner-bikers through SSS membership and giving them access to the social security benefits.

«Considering the high risk of their profession by being in the field most of the time, Angkas partner-bikers need a solid protection they can to turn during emergencies,» Macasaet said.

«With this agreement, SSS will give them the social security protection that they need,» he added.

Dubbed «AngkaSSS na sa Protektadong Bukas,» the partnership reflects the SSS' aim of providing social security coverage and old-age pension to all working Filipinos.

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

Under the agreement, the partner-bikers in the National Capital Region, Metro Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro City 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, said SSS Senior Vice President for Metro Manila Maria Rita Aguja.

Aguja, who also chairs the task force on the coverage of Angkas riders, said that they could also apply for SSS loan programs such as salary and calamity, providing them with financial assistance for their immediate needs.

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«On top of SSS benefits, they will also get coverage from the Employees' Compensation Program for work-related sickness, disability or