The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) took the lead in advocating for stronger trust and unity among Southeast Asia’s social security institutions, as Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso, GSIS President and General Manager, assumed chairmanship of the ASEAN Social Security Association (ASSA) on Tuesday.
In his keynote address at the 42nd ASSA Board Meeting in Brunei, Veloso emphasized the importance of trust in social protection systems. He called on his counterparts to act as “master architects of trust” in creating systems that are transparent, accountable, and rooted in integrity.
Veloso introduced the theme “The Architecture of Trust” for the association, outlining integrity as the foundation, with transparency and accountability as its pillars, and solidarity as the roof that shelters workers and pensioners across the region.
He noted that the Brunei meeting built on the ASSA Sustainability Pledge, signed during the previous ASSA conference in Manila. Veloso highlighted the importance of integrity, stating, “If we were to visualize the Architecture of Trust, its foundation would be integrity; doing what is right even when no one is watching.”
He urged leaders to see themselves not just as administrators, but as “custodians of hope” who create systems that provide lasting security for citizens.
The two-day meeting brought together heads of pension and social insurance institutions from ASEAN member-states to discuss strategies for harmonizing policies and strengthening collaboration under a unified vision of trust and resilience.
