SSS rated ‘very good,’ against corruption; top 2 among gov’t institutions

By Mar T. Supnad

The Social Security System (SSS) earned a “very good” net sincerity rating of +57 for its efforts to fight corruption, placing second overall among government institutions based on the latest results of a periodic survey of business executives from hundreds of enterprises across the country.

SSS officer-in-charge of management services and planning division Eleonora Y. Cinco said the SSS net sincerity rating in the 2014/15 Social Weather Stations (SWS) Survey of Enterprises on Corruption was five points higher than the pension fund’s +52 “Very Good” net rating for 2013.

“Our +57 net sincerity rating for the 2014/15 survey represents the highest mark attained by SSS in the past ten years, improving on our previous high of +52 since 2006. We will continue to foster strong relations with our partners in the business sector by adhering to good governance policies, ensuring compliance with the Social Security Law and implementing enhancements in SSS processes,” Cinco said.

Past installments of the SWS anti-corruption survey showed the SSS attaining a “Very Good” net sincerity rating of +52 in 2013 and 2007. It also achieved “Good” net sincerity ratings of +40 in 2009, +46 in 2008 and +38 in 2006. No SWS ratings for SSS were available for the years 2010 to 2012.

“From our frontline personnel all the way to our top management, the SSS workforce observes existing policies that promote good governance within and outside the organization. For example, ‘No gift policy’ notices are highly visible in SSS offices to send a clear message to our transacting members and the general public,” Cinco said.

SSS representatives in governing boards of companies with SSS investments also turn over to the agency the checks for per diems and directors fees, in strict adherence to the guidelines on executives’ compensation.

“The SSS does not tolerate delinquency of companies. Through the combined actions of our account officers and legal teams, the SSS has collected P1.6 billion due to over 7,000 cases filed against erring employers since 2010. Nearly eight out of every 10 employers sued by SSS have settled their delinquencies, while a total of 24 have been sentenced to six to 20 years in jail on top of paying fines and penalties,” Cinco said.

“The digitization of SSS records and automation of processes are also part of our anti-corruption efforts for these discourage unnecessary interference with SSS procedures that can compromise the integrity of our processing of benefits and loans,” she added.

The SSS ranked second in the SWS survey behind the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that garnered a “Very Good” +63 net rating. Joining SEC and SSS in the top five were the Philippine Stock Exchange (+55), Office of the President (+54) and the Department of Trade and Industry (+51).

SWS net sincerity ratings are classified according to “Excellent” (+70 and above), “Very Good” (+50 to +69), “Good” (+30 to +49), “Moderate” (+10 to +29), “Neutral” (+9 to -9), “Poor” (-29 to -10), “Bad” (-49 to -30), and “Very Bad” (-69 to -50).

During the 12th installment of the SWS survey, executives from nearly 970 companies in Metro Manila, Metro Angeles, Cavite-Laguna-Batangas, Metro Iloilo, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao and Cagayan de Oro-Iligan areas participated in face-to-face interviews within November 14, 2014 to May 12, 2015.

Organizations such as the Integrity for Investments Initiative, United States Agency for International Development, National Competitiveness Council and The Asia Foundation offered the SWS support in conducting its survey. The results of the survey came out as SSS celebrates its 58th year this month.