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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Monday, January 9, 2017
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ILOILO City – Militants urged President Rodrigo Duterte to keep his campaign promise of increasing the pension of Social Security System (SSS) pensioners by P2,000.
The President’s economic advisers are against the increase. It could lead to the collapse of the pension fund, they warned.
“The increase is a big benefit to those receiving as low as P1,200 monthly,” said Maura Abellon, chairperson of the urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) Panay.
The group also opposed a proposal to increase taxes to offset the SSS pension hike, or increase SSS members’ contributions.
“Definitely, such will only further burden Filipinos. SSS should instead focus on the remaining P325-billion collectibles which are mostly from delinquent big businesses,” said Abellon.
On the other hand, Elmer Forro, secretary-general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Panay said Duterte would be disappointing people if he won’t keep his campaign promise.
“This is not the change we expect,” said Forro. He urged the President to exercise political will.
During the 16th Congress, then President Benigno Aquino III vetoed a bill increasing the SSS pension, explaining that the hike could compromise the viability of the SSS.
“If President Duterte turns down the proposed SSS pension increase, he would be no different from the previous administration,” said Forro.
He dismissed warnings that SSS would go bankrupt by 2030.
According to Kadamay’s Abellon, SSS should strictly and efficiently implement the regular collection of monthly premiums /dues.
“They should also reform the unnecessary allocation of bonuses of SSS executives and members of the board. The pensioners, more than those executives, need the money,” she said.
While most pensioners struggle daily for their medicines, the SSS executives enjoy many privileges be it medical, holidays, travel, etc., Abellon lamented.
“Most pensioners came from the lower social strata and they are the most vulnerable to ailments due to decades of laborious work prior their supposed retirement,” she stressed.
Armed with placards, militants staged a rally on front of the SSS office on corner JM Basa and Guanco streets, City Proper on Jan. 4.
Forro reminded the government that SSS funds are people’s money.
“Waay ni singko nga amot ang gobyerno dira. Halin ina sa dugo kag balhas sang mamumogon nga gasalig nga kon magmal-am sila at least may mahatag sa ila nga suporta halin sa pension nga ila pondo nga gin amot,” he stressed./PN
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