Senate OKs bill granting P2,000 increase in SSS members’ pensions
Senators Cynthia A. Villar and Teofisto Guingona III said yesterday the passage on second reading last Wednesday of Senate Bill 2888 raises the hopes of estimated two million Social Security System (SSS) pensioners who mostly rely on their monthly allowance for medicines and daily necessities. Guingona and Villar, authors of the SSS measure, said they are confident that the Senate will be able to pass the bill on third and final reading next week. The Senate hopes to adopt the version of the House of Representatives so that there will be need to convene the bicameral conference committee and fast-track approval of the bill by both Houses of Congress,’’ Villar said. A Congress-approved bill then goes to Malacanang for approval or veto. The measure seeks to direct the SSS to give to all SSS retirees an across-the-board P2,000 increase in their monthly pension. “The plight of our senior citizens is [...]