The Lower House of Philippine Congress, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading a bill mandating a P2,000 across-the-board increase in all monthly Social Security System (SSS) pension. The bill is now at the Upper House of Congress, the Philippine Senate.
According to House Bill 5842, the bill seeks to amend Republic Act 1161, as amended by RA 2862, otherwise known as the “Social Security Act of 1997” increasing the present minimum monthly pension of P1,200 to P3,200 for retirees with at least 10 years of credited service.
The bill also seeks to increase the present monthly pension of P2,400, for those with 20 years of credited service, to P4,400.
The main author of the bill, Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares lauded the passage of the bill at the Lower House, which according to him would enable retirees and senior citizens to afford their basic necessities through a higher SSS pension.
The co-authors of approved bill are Reps. Carlos Isagani T. Zarate (Party-list, Bayan Muna), Mark A. Villar (Las Piñas City), Jesus N. Sacdalan (1st District, North Cotabato), Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas (6th District, Pangasinan), Cresente C. Paez (Party-list, COOP NATCCO), Agapito H. Guanlao (Party-list, BUTIL), Edgardo R. Masongsong (Party-list, 1 CARE), Leah S. Paquiz (Party-list, ANG NARS) and Antonio L. Tinio (Party-list, ACT TEACHERS).