SSS

Bam: Improve SSS collection efficiency, not increase in premium

Instead of increasing premium of members, the Social Security System (SSS) should improve its collection efficiency in order to deliver the P1,000 raise in pension without affecting the agency’s financial viability.

“The collection efficiency right now is about 40 percent and that needs to go higher,” Sen. Bam Aquino said during a television interview.

“What we want to see is, can we provide this P1,000 increase in pension and do the measures to increase efficiency upang mahabol ang kabawasan sa pondo sa SSS,” he added.

 The senator said the planned 1.5-percent increase in contribution in May will be an additional burden and less take home pay for ordinary Filipino workers.

 Earlier, Sen. Bam called on the SSS to consult employers and employees organizations first before fully implementing the increase in premium.

 “Siguro kailangan din nating tingnan ang mga numero. Sana ang SSS, makinig sa konsultasyon sa employers at employees organizations dahil medyo nagulat din ako na mayroon ganong palang pagtaas ng premium na parang hindi napag-uusapan noon,” Sen. Bam said in a previous interview.

Sen. Bam on SSS pension increase, survey and SC decision on martial law

Transcript of media interview

 

On SSS pension increase

 

Sen. Bam: Nagulat rin kami na mayroon palang increase in premiums na ipapataw sa 34 million Filipinos. Dalawang milyon po kasi iyong SSS pensioners natin at sumuporta naman tayo sa pag-increase ng pension nila. 

Pero I think marami ring nagulat, pati na rin ang business community, iyong mga employer nagulat sa pagtaas ng premium na 1.5 percent.

 Aminado naman tayo na maliit lang ang 1.5 percent pero pag sinuma mo iyon, malaking bagay pa rin iyan.

 I think nagsabi ang SSS na ngayon pa lang sila magk0-consult sa employers at magko-contribute dito.

 Palagay ko kasi, ang kailangang gawin diyan, itaas ang efficiency ng pagkolekta ng kontribusyon, hindi iyong pagtaas ng premium ng mga miyembro.

 Ang alam ko, it’s up to the SSS to do that but titingnan na rin natin kung ano iyong tingin ng iba nating mga kasama.

 Marami po sa mga senador, nagtulak po nito at ang alam ko, ang pinakagusto nila, itaas ang efficiency ng pagkolekta.

 Gusto ko ring malaman sa SSS kung ito ba’y isang scheme na hindi mapeperhuwisyo ang kanilang kaban at iyong kanilang kakayahan na maipagpatuloy ng pagpo-provide ng pensiyong ito sa ating bayan.

 Siguro kailangan din nating tingnan ang mga numero. Sana ang SSS, makinig sa konsultasyon sa employers at employees organizations dahil medyo nagulat din ako na mayroon ganong palang pagtaas ng premium na parang hindi napag-uusapan noon.

 I think iyong mga pinag-uusapan noon ay pagtaas ng pensiyon na walang kasabay na pagtaas ng premium, bagkus iyong pagtaas ng efficiency sa koleksiyon.

 

On Pulse Asia survey on Martial Law

 

Sen. Bam: Tingin ko diyan, ang taumbayan natin naghahanap na ng bagong solusyon.

 I think nandoon pa rin ang mga problema natin. Mga problema sa drugs, problema sa terorismo pero malinaw sa survey na iyan, na ang mga Pilipino naghahanap na ng bagong solusyon, na huwag na tayong bumalik sa mga gawain na nakasama naman sa ating bayan.

It’ a complete rejection of this type of leadership, that type of governance na masyadong nakakiling sa violence o nakakiling sa martial rule.

 Ang taumbayan natin naghahanap ng bagong solusyon, hindi na iyong mga nagawa natin noon na nakasama sa ating bansa.

Nagbabago-bago rin iyong statement niya. May statement siya na hindi niya gagawin ang martial law pero mayroon din siyang naging statement na tatanggalin ang congressional approval doon sa Constitution.

 Sana pakinggan tayo ng Malacanang. Matapos na ang usapang ito. Clearly, kitang kita naman, 74 percent iyong mayorya ng taumbayan, ayaw na ng martial rule at naghahanap ng bagong solusyon sa mga problema natin.

Ang mahirap kasi, kapag may problema, parang iyon lang lagi, doon lang bumabalik lagi, na ang lang solusyon lang sa problema natin, magkaroon ng increased military presence, increased police presence, maging mas istrikto, maging mas harsh.

 Parang iyon na lang lagi ang mga solusyon na ibinibigay sa atin. I think iyong taumbayan, habang naghahanap sila ng lunas sa mga problema, naghahanap din sila ng bagong solusyon mula sa gobyerno.

 

On change in Senate leadership

 

Sen. Bam: To be honest, I have not heard of those. Wala namang usapan o chatter among the senators. So, I guess being in a political atmosphere, highly politically charged ang mga ganyang lumalabas-labas, but I think it’s just a rumor and walang veracity sa kuwentong iyan.

 

On SC decision on appeal on Marcos burial

 

Sen. Bam: I think they’re standing by their decision. Ang sabi ko nga, hindi na talaga legal ang pag-appreciate sa mga nangyari during the Marcos burial issue. Magiging historical na talaga iyan.

 History will judge these times na nilibing natin ang isang diktador sa Libingan ng mga Bayani.

 

 

Senate Bill No. 658: Working Poor Protection Act

The Philippine Social Security Act of 1954 gave rise to the Social Security System (SSS) in the country intended to provide protection against likelihoods and eventualities such as disability and injury, sickness, maternity, old age, and death.

One’s contributions to SSS translate to investments into one’s future and the future of their family. Contributions give citizens access to benefits such as disability aid, retirement relief, and life insurance. SSSalso offers loans at reasonable rates that can be used for various purposes like putting
a child through school or putting up a small business. I

These benefits can make the world of a difference to Filipinos, particularly those burdened by financial instability. However, contributions of individuals earning below P 100,000 annually are intermittent.

Our social protection programs cover the poorest of the poor but only 6.5% of the 12 million self-employed Filipinos are paying their SSS contributions. This is a lost opportunity for countrymen considered our working poor as well as our marginal income earners -farmers, fishermen, market and street vendors, and micro-entrepreneurs across the country.

This bill is the financial support and incentive system our MIEs need to encourage them to invest in their future and their security.

Let us ensure that all working Filipinos are being provided for and that our MIEs are not left behind as we continue to push for inclusive growth in the country.

Let us make the vital adjustments that help Filipinos help themselves. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

PDFicon DOWNLOAD SBN 658

Bam: SSS Coverage for Working Poor

The working poor will now be covered by the government’s social protection program through the Social Security System (SSS) once Sen. Bam Aquino’s bill is enacted into law.

Sen. Bam has filed Senate Bill No. 2746, seeking to provide the farmers, fishermen, market and street vendors, tricycle drivers and millions of micro business owners the social protection they need.

“As they earn below P100,000.00 annually, the working poor’s contributions, unfortunately, are not regular, thus depriving them of a chance to enjoy social protection from the SSS,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship. “The proposed measure seeks to provide the working poor the much-needed help in order for them to grow,” said Sen. Bam.

While the poorest of the poor are covered by the government’s social protection programs, Sen. Bam said only 6.5 percent of the 12 million self-employed Filipinos are paying their SSS contributions.

Under the Working Poor Protection Act of 2015, the government will match every contribution of the working poor to SSS, the same way an employer matches the contribution of their employees.

This will enable the working poor to access loans and other benefits from SSS, giving them the opportunity to get out of poverty and succeed on their own.

In addition, they will also be given a chance to avail of social protection packages that SSS provides, such as disability, sickness, maternity, old age, and death benefits.

“Let us ensure that the Filipino dream is realized – that all Filipinos are being provided with the right opportunity, the break that they need to succeed on their own and the environment where they are able to help themselves,” said Sen. Bam, who worked with micro businesses before he became a senator.

“Wala dapat maiiwan tungo sa tinatamasa nating kaunlaran,” he added.

SBN-2746: Working Poor Protection Act of 2015

For six decades now, the Social Security System (SSS) has provided social protection to Filipinos against likelihoods and eventualities such as disability and injury, Sickness, maternity, old age, and death.

Our contributions to SSS translate to investments into our future and the future of our family. Contributions give citizens access to benefits such as disability aid, retirement relief, and life insurance. SSS also offers loans at reasonable rates that can be used for various purposes like putting a child through school or engaging in a small business.

These benefits can make a difference to fellow Filipinos living at subsistence level. As they earn below P100,ooo.oo annually, their contributions, unfortunately, are not regular.

While the poorest of the poor are covered by our social protection programs, only 6.5% of the 12 million self-employed Filipinos are paying their SSS contributions.

It is a lost opportunity for our countrymen that we consider the working poor, our farmers, fishermen, market and street vendors, tricycle drivers and the millions of who have micro businesses across the country.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
PDFiconDOWNLOAD SBN 2746

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