Rallyists storm SSS main office

Pensioners and workers forced their way into the Social Security System’s main office compound along East Avenue in Quezon City on Friday afternoon to express their anger over proposals for a lower pension hike. 

 

Exclusive footage aired on GMA 7's "24 Oras" showed protesters led by Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), easily broke through the gate of SSS. 

 

 

The protesters aimed to enter the main building of SSS but they were immediately blocked by guards and members of the Quezon City police, according to the report of GMA News' Emil Sumangil. 

 

Still, the protesters were able to hold their rally inside SSS premises.

 

An SSS official questioned the protesters' agenda.

 

"Kanino ba nanggagaling ang mga protesta na yan, isang grupo lang naman yan. So ang tingin ko talaga masyado nang nagagamit ang SSS sa pamumulitika," SSS Vice President for Public Affairs Marissu Bugante. 

 

In a statement, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said they were protesting the proposal of SSS Commissioner for Labor Daniel Edralin and Jorge Banal Sr., president of the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines, for a P1,000 pension hike.  

 

“The main issue here is that current pension levels are not enough to provide pensioners with a decent life. The government has not helped the SSS, contrary to what the law states. Now is the time for the government to help SSS and its pensioners,” said KMU vice chairperson Roger Soluta.

 

KMU vowed to intensify the fight for a P2,000 increase in SSS pensions despite President Benigno Aquino III's decision to veto the measure passed by Congress. 

 

Aquino had warned the SSS would go bankrupt in 2029 if the monthly pension was raised.   — Virgil Lopez, BAP, GMA News