Companiess back SSS pension hike bill

THE Philippine export community welcomed the approval at the House committee level of the bill seeking to raise the Social Security System (SSS) monthly pension, but said the additional benefits should not come from increased contributions of both employers and employees, as both are already burdened by too many deductions.

Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., president of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PhilExport), a nationwide exporters’ association of 4,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), said raising the pension benefits of private employees is commendable, as current levels fall way below those provided public employees by the Government Service Insurance System.