SENATOR Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday called on the Social Security System (SSS) to defer the implementation of the contribution hike as she noted that this would further deplete workers’ wages which have not kept up with the rising prices of goods.
Hontiveros issued the call as she filed Senate Resolution No. 1269 calling for a Senate investigation into the SSS contribution hike.
“Habang pababa nang pababa ang halaga ng kinikita ng ating mga kababayan nitong mga nakaraang taon, pataas nang pataas naman ang investment earnings ng SSS. Saan naman nila dadalhin itong super tubo na ‘to? Baka magulat na lang tayo at ilagay nila ‘yan sa Maharlika Fund,” Hontiveros said.
She continued: “Pumalo na sa P100 billion ang net income ng SSS noong 2024, dumami pa ang contributors nang halos 30%, at lumawig pa nga ang fund life nito hanggang 2053. Obvious naman na kayang-kaya ng SSS na huwag munang mangolekta ng increase.”
Hontiveros warned that implementing the increase this year could worsen the financial burden of ordinary wage earners and certain segments of the middle class.
“Halos wala pa ring ipon ang ilan sa ating mga kababayan dahil sa pandemya at nabawasan pa nga ang halaga ng kanilang kinikita dahil sa inflation. Huwag na muna sanang bawasan ng SSS ang kanilang take-home pay na maliit na nga, mas liliit pa dahil sa contribution hike,” Hontiveros said.
She added: “Inaprubahan ang contribution hike noong 2018 pa, kung kailan wala pa sa isipan nating magkakaroon ng pandemic na hanggang ngayon damang-dama pa rin ng ilan sa atin ang epekto, lalo na pagdating sa ating mga bulsa.”
Hontiveros said further study of the SSS contribution hike must be undertaken to balance the interests of ordinary workers and the actuarial life of the state insurer.
“Huwag muna nating ipatupad ang SSS contribution hike habang pinag-aaralan natin ito ulit. Manatili sanang salbabida ang SSS sa mga panahon ng pangangailangan, imbes na lalo pang magpalubog sa mga miyembro nito,” she said.
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