A message of thanks T

HE NATION'S SSS PEN SIONER now numbering 2.15 million should be thankful to the legislators for approving a P2,000 hike in their pensions.

The House of Representatives approved a Joint Resolution seeking to increase by P2,000 the monthly pension of Social Security System pensioners pursuant to the Social Security Act of 1997.

This was learned from North Cotabato Representative Jesus N. Sacdalan, chairman of the House Committee on Government Enterprises and Privation.

There is a catch on the grant, however. The first tranche of the increase shall be given December 2016 and the second tranche will be given by 2019. This is so as the huge outlay may prejudice the forthcoming pensions of the succeeding pensioners, hence, the staggered release of the pension hike.

The joint resolution justified the hike thus: It is an unfortunate reality that the monthly pension from SSS has become insufficient for the monthly food sustenance and maintenance medicines of pensioners who are old and mostly suffering from various medical conditions. Without appropriate and immediate intervention, the SSS would fail in its role to provide basic economic security for the people, curb poverty provide economic stability, redistribute income and preserve important social and individual values.

A sensible and sensitive document, this joint resolution from the House of Representatives is.

Pensions should extend messages of thanks to the authors of the Joint Resolution which include: Representatives Alfred Vargas, Tobias Tiangco, Salvie Fortuno, Carlos Isagan Zarate, Bernadette Herrera Dy, Sol Aragones, Winston Castelo, Emmeline Aglipay Villar, Luisa LLoren Cuaresma and, of course, Jesus N. Sacdalan.

Further, Makati City 2nd District Representative Luis Campos, Jr., has filed House Bill 2653 which aims for a P2,000 monthly pension for povertystricken senior citizens who are 70 years old and above. This seeks to amend the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 which currently provides a straight P500 monthly stipend to all indigent Filipinos 60 years old and above.