Macasaet takes over helm of SSS from Regino
PRESIDENT and CEO Rolando L. Macasaet formally assumed the post as the 20th head of the Social Security System (SSS) from outgoing President and CEO Michael Gonzales Regino during turnover ceremonies held at the Magsaysay Hall of the SSS main office in East Avenue, Quezon City last Tuesday.
Macasaet, who held the position of President and General of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) during the last four years of the Duterte Administration, was appointed last week by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to head the SSS.
In his brief speech, Macasaet assured the SSS officials and employees that under his stewardship, the agency will continue with the reforms and innovations started by Regino to provide better social services to workers and pensioners.
Macasaet was quoted in a statement as saying he “will continue with the path of growth started by” Regino as well as “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,” he added.
High expectations
THE new SSS Chief said he was grateful for being given the opportunity to serve under the Marcos administration by overseeing the state-run pension fund for those in the private sector.
Macasaet acknowledge the “high expectations” for him and the SSS “to provide guaranteed safety nets to the Filipino people.”
“We have to work doubly hard so we could provide our current members and pensioners on what is just and due to them without putting in jeopardy the financial protection of current members and future pensioners.”
At the same time, Macasaet commended Regino for his dedicated hard work and professional as PCEO and for instituting various reforms and programs that made SSS a leading social protection institution in the country today.
He said Regino managed to transform the agency “into a government show window of reform, efficacy and dedicated public service.”
“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.”
Earlier in his own speech, Regino urged Macasaet, whom he described as his personal friend, to continue with the implementation with the innovations he introduced that will result to better services to at least 3.1 million SSS pensioners in the country.
School classmates
MACASAET took his Oath of Office before Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin in Malacañang last January 5. Regino served as SSS PCEO for nine months after being appointed by Duterte in March 2022. Before that, he was a member of the Social Security Commission, the highest policy-making body of the SSS.
Both Macasaet and Regino are natives of Zamboanga City and were high school classmates at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University class of 1977. They started their professional careers in Metro Manila and were appointed to key positions during the Duterte administration.
During his term, Regino said the SSS increased its efficiency, built its investment portfolio and ensured the timely and proper delivery of benefits to SSS members. In his stint as SSS chief, Regino implemented innovative programs that benefit its members and employers.
Among these programs are: the f lexible contribution payment schedule for farmers and fishermen; the contribution subsidy provider program; the consolidation of past due short-term member loans with condonation of penalty; contribution penalty condonation programs for business and household employers; and, the workers’ investment and savings program Plus. The SSS also disbursed a record of P238 billion in benefits to members, pensioners and their beneficiaries.
Extensive experience
BEFORE joining the SSS, Macasaet had an extensive experience in public service as he served in various leadership capacities in several government-owned and controlled corporations from 1988 to 2005, such as 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.