MANILA — The Social Security System (SSS) and motorcycle taxi provider Angkas on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), aiming to extend social security protection to active Angkas riders.

This initiative will immediately cover approximately 50,000 Angkas partner bikers under the SSS program.

The partnership, branded as "AngkaSSS na sa Protektadong Bukas," designates Angkas as an authorized partner for SSS coverage and collection. Under this agreement, Angkas will be responsible for collecting and remitting the monthly contributions from its partner bikers.

"We saw that there's a large informal sector bilang milyon po ang nagtatrabaho na ginagamit ‘yong motorsiklo na pangnegosyo pero hindi po nakakakuha ng benepisyo sa gobyerno. We really sought out to make sure they really become part of the economy," said Angkas CEO George Royeca.

(We saw that there's a large informal sector, with millions working and using motorcycles for business but not receiving government benefits. We sought to ensure they become part of the economy.)

As self-employed SSS members, Angkas riders will be eligible for a range of benefits, including sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, funeral, and death benefits.

They can also apply for SSS loan programs, such as salary and calamity loans. Additionally, riders will receive extra coverage through the Employees' Compensation Program, which provides benefits for work-related sickness, disability, or death.

Thirty-year-old Angkas rider Junymar Badulis is not yet an SSS member because he initially didn't know how to join. He said that this partnership will make it easier for him to become a member. He was especially encouraged to join when SSS covered the funeral expenses after his father's passing.

"Siyempre sa Angkas hindi naman stable yung trabaho namin kagaya ngayon sa SSS may program na loan..kagaya niyan makakahiram kung sakali," Badulis said.

(Our work in Angkas isn't stable, so having access to programs like SSS loans is very helpful.)

Richard Cañete, another Angkas rider, had previously been an SSS member but stopped contributing six years ago. With this opportunity, he said can now resume his contributions.

"2019 ‘di na nakakapaghulog until now...wala pong oras eh kasi ‘pag ganyan pipila ka pa, maraming proseso siyempre," Cañete shared.

(Since 2019, I haven't been able to make contributions... there just isn't enough time because you have to wait in line and go through a lot of processes, of course.)

"Sa kanilang pagtanda po ay meron silang lifetime pension...kung sila naman ay pumanaw itong benepisyong ito ay tatawid sa kanilang asawa at mga menor na anak," said Voltaire Agas, Executive Vice President of the Branch Operator Sector at SSS.

(In their old age, they will receive a lifetime pension. If they pass away, these benefits will be transferred to their spouse and minor children.)

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