P-Noy urged to sign bill increasing SSS pension

MANILA, Philippines – Lawmakers are urging President Aquino to immediately sign into law a bill that will grant a P2,000 across-the-board increase in the monthly pension of retired Social Security System (SSS) members.

Las Piñas Rep. Mark Villar, who chairs the Committee on Trade and Industry, said Aquino should start the new year right and sign into law House Bill 5842, which was passed on third reading by the House of Representatives last June 9 and by the Senate on Nov. 9.

The proposed bill was transmitted to Malacañang in mid-December.

He said the five percent across-the-board increase granted to some 1.9 million SSS pensioners in June 2014 was still not enough for their needs.

“The government must be sensitive to the needs of its people. If there’s an opportunity to make social justice more meaningful, we must not hesitate to do what is right,” he said.

The lawmaker also defended the pensioners’ right to demand an increase amid the rising cost of living and higher inflation rates.