(Photo by Gelaine Louise Gutierrez/PIA-NCR file)

CALOOCAN CITY, (PIA) -- President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is set to grace on Friday, Sept. 30, the 65th anniversary of the Social Security System (SSS) and its annual recognition event, the Balikat ng Bayan Awards (partners in nation-building).

The President will join the SSS in acknowledging the value of its partnerships with other sectors for their unwavering support to the programs of the pension fund agency.

Dubbed as the Balikat ng Bayan Awards, Pres. Marcos will personally witness the annual event that honors companies, institutions and individuals who have contributed in a significant way in helping the SSS achieve its mandate.

To recall, the Balikat ng Bayan Award for the Top Employer is given to employers who, in a major way, have partnered with the SSS in promoting the welfare of their employees who are members of SSS.

On the other hand, the Best Collection Partner distinction is awarded to financial institutions that are consistently among the top with the highest collections; have the biggest volume of transactions and widest coverage.

While the Best Paying Partner is awarded to financial institutions that are exemplary in delivering SSS benefits to members.

Another set of Balikat ng Bayan awards are given to the Best Media Partner for Radio, Television and Print for their contributions in the SSS’s pursuit to provide meaningful protection to our members.

Special citations are also given to accredited program partner- agents, financial institutions and media partners that are supporting the mission of the SSS.

SSS celebrates its milestone anniversary through a series of month-long activities with the theme, “SSS@65: Kontribusyong Pinag-ipunan, Proteksyong Maaasahan.”

For more details on SSS programs, members can drop by the nearest SSS branch, visit the SSS web site (www.sss.gov.ph), or contact the SSS call center at 920-6446 to 55, which accepts calls from 7 a.m. on Monday all the way to 7 a.m. on Saturday. (PIA-NCR)