The bill that seeks to amend the old Social Security System Law and push for the minimum P7,000 monthly pension for retirees is already on second reading in the House of Representatives and a technical working committee is being created to fast-track the review of the bill, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, said Saturday.

Colmenares and Rep. Teddy Casino filed House Bill 4365 last year seeking to increase the current SSS pension rates to make it more responsive to the basic necessities of the pensioners.

“The P1,200 minimum monthly pension is very inhuman and it is insufficient for the needs of the pensioners,” Colmenares said.

He said that in the recent hearing of the TWC, SSS Vice president Edgardo Solilapsi, agreed that the increase of the pension rate is reasonable but there must also be a corresponding increase in contributions.

Increase in contributions is not necessary because uncollected remittances of SSS reach billions of pesos yearly, and that an aggressive program is needed to go after delinquent employers, Colmenares added.

By the opening of Congress next month, he said, he hopes that SSS will be able to present its position on the bill so decision can be made.

SSS pensioners and members supporting the bill can also submit their petitions and signatures to further push the passage of the bill, he also said.

He added that he is optimistic that representatives of Negros Occidental will sign and support the bill because of there is a major response from the pensioners in the province.

Senator Manuel Villar has also filed a Senate Bill 2883 that also aims to increase SSS pensions and the amendment of Sec. 12 of the SSS Act, and he is also asking Senators Allan Peter Cayetano, Teofisto Gingona, and Francis Escudero to craft a bill supporting the increase of SSS pensions, Colmenares also said.

Meanwhile, Colmenares expressed Saturday his disappointment over the House Committee on Energy inaction to resolve the issue of higher oil prices, particularly in Negros Occidental, and other provinces outside Metro Manila.

Colmenares said President Benigno Aquino III should have a copy of the demands of the various groups, on the matter.*LTG

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