A retiree’s frustration about the SSS

From our reader, Adoracion Garcia Naguit Agulo, was a five-page hand-written letter. It contained so much lamentation and frustration about the Social Security System, of which this column is partly featuring. Please read on.

“I am 74 turning 75 this coming February 1. I know I should practice restraint befitting a senior citizen, and the Bible tells us to control our tongue. Pero I am only human … sobra ang greed, shamelessness, callousness, idiocy and misanthropy of people like [Emil] De Quiros.

“De Quiros (Conrad), the brother of Emil (head of SSS) is biased. I used to admire him, avidly reading his column … then I was so disappointed when he defended and praised his brother.  If he was not a brother, I’m sure he would bad-mouth Emil.

“About the second letter (of one Manong Max), he said he is getting P3,971.77 a month or about P48,000 a year, roughly the amount his cousin Danny receives in one board meeting. He said he stood up and asked president Emil (at Kapihan, Diamond Hotel), “You call this social security?”

“Now about my poor self: I’m in my twilight years …. I haven’t received a single centavo because I’m not satisfied with P42,876 (starting Sept. 18, 2013). I started my contribution in 1963 (Bauan High School, Bauan, Batangas) when I was a young 23-year-old, quite healthy and innocent teacher (of English).

Fat bonuses and per diems

“What infuriates me further is the fact that they (SSS Board members) shamelessly get P1 million each for bonus and P40,000 each per board meeting – almost equivalent of my 50 years contribution.

“I neglected to file for two maternity leaves, hospitalizations, surgeries, etc. so nakatipid na sila sa akin bago P42,876. What a measly amount! Pag na-ospital ako, ang hospital owner, greedy rin. Ilang araw lang (at the hospital), kulang pa ito. Maawa naman sila!

“My (daily) salary then was P70, P100, and lastly P316, and I was already happy for a P100 bonus. Ngayon, (the bonus is)millions! How greedy can people get. There should be a lifestyle check on them. They act as if the P36 billion are their own money.

Reasonable retirement benefits

“Sir, I know the power of the fourth estate, the media. I’m hoping through your column, (and others of) Neal Cruz, Bobet S. Avila, Randy David, and Maceda, will influence and make the SSS crooks change their minds and give us reasonable retirement benefits.

“All we feel are ire, wrath and hatred for people wanting in conscience and Christian values and qualities. I’m poor but I help those poorer than me. P-Noy, the ultimate hypocrite of “daang lubak-lubak” said, “Walang mahirap kung walang corrupt.” Precisely! There is so much poverty because of the rampant corruption.

“I want my P42,876.00 increased! I need this for my medical expenses and I’ll give to my older and younger siblings (ages 63, 72, 79 and 83).

Better services, improved benefits

“I also read yesterday’s column of Neal Cruz (colleague of Conrad de Quiros). It was so funny because in his column, he related how Ellen Sison of the Public Assistance Office helped him (Cruz) prove that he is still alive. The SSS stopped his measly pension since last January because they wanted proof that he is still alive.

“In spite of the fact that his column, with his photo and byline, appears in the Inquirer every other day, right above the column of Conrad de Quiros, brother of the beleaguered SSS administrator. Neal Cruz said with exasperation: “Don’t they even read the newspapers?”

“The SSS said they will give me P2,400 beginning 2015. I answered, “What’s the big idea sa 2015 pa.” Baka nga naman mamatay ako in 1½ years, paghahati-hatian nila ang pera ko. I want it now!”

Parking, take-outs for senior citizens

A senior reader, Joel Pablo Bunag, also sent his views, this time about the benefits that senior citizens receive. Read on.

“I read your column today on senior citizens’ benefits and I appreciate your concern.

“I wonder if you could inquire as to why the Trinoma Mall allocates only a small number of parking slots for senior citizens especially during Mondays and Tuesdays which are free movie days. The Ayala-owned mall could very well afford to provide more parking spaces on these two days.

“The discount for take-out orders is not applied uniformly. Establishments have their own policies for take-out orders.

“Also, I would like to recommend that all benefits for senior citizens be nationalized, including free movies and parking. We should not discriminate against seniors in the provinces. This would enable seniors to watch movies for free wherever they are.”

Champions League 2013 National Collegiate Championship

Ten teams are competing for the last seat in the final four of the champions league (PCCL) 2013 National Collegiate Championship. The winner will join early qualifiers UAAP champion De La Salle Green Archers, NCAA champion San Beda College Red Lions, and overall southern islands champion Southwestern U Cobras.

The participants in the step-ladder knock out games are: UAAP runner-up UST Growling Tigers, NCAA runner-up Letran Knights, third placers FEU Tamaraws and San Sebastian College Golden Stags, fourth placers, National University and University of Perpetual Help, champion of North-Central Luzon Lyceum of Subic Bay, champion of south Luzon-Bicol University of Batangas, and Metro Manila qualifiers Centro Escolar University and University of the East.

After the games at Tanauan City, the step-ladder phase continues with games scheduled at Ynares Gym, Pasig City starting on Nov. 28, 2013.

Tickets for the games are available from SM Ticket, telephone 470-22-22, and at the Ynares Gym ticket booth.

Visit the PCCL website (CollegiateChampionsLeague.net) for more details/information on the National Collegiate Championship, and like our official Facebook fan page (Philippine College Champions League) and follow us on Twitter (@pccleague2013).

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Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at reydgamboa@yahoo.com. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.