The fight for the P2,000 pension hike for the 2.15 million Social Security System (SSS) members continues in the 17th Congress.

Outgoing Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said their group will refile the measure in the next Congress, with hopes that incoming president Rodrigo Roa Duterte will immediately act on it when he leads the country as the 16th President in July 1.

“Bayan Muna will refile the bill next Congress with the hope that it will pass into law in a short time.  We are glad Pres. Duterte supports the pension increase as it will hasten its congressional approval,” he said.

He expressed regrets that the Lower Chamber was not able to overturn the presidential veto on the pro-workers’ measure before Congress adjourned sine die its sessions last Monday night.

“All is not lost, however, because President-elect Duterte supports the P2000 SSS pension increase.  We hope he will immediately act on the increase once he takes office in July.  The battle was not in vain because it has made pension increase a national agenda  and gained the support of many,” Colmenares, the principal author of the bill, said.

He expressed optimism that under the Duterte administration, the chances of SSS pension increase has become a possibility.

source: mb.com.ph (ManilaBulletin)