6 Enero,2025 Lunes
Happy New Year
Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
supports National Bible Month 2025
supports Marked Men for Christ Philippines Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan
PM for any hospital discharge problem
ABS 2025
Halt of higher SSS contributions sought
By Nidz Godino
“This proposed SSS contribution increase is height of government insensitivity…how about teachers and workers who are already struggling to make ends meet on their meager salaries… Marcos Jr. administration appears more interested in padding its confidential funds than ensuring social services and people’s welfare,” ACT Private Schools secretary general Jonathan Geronimo said private school teachers are calling for immediate suspension of hikes for Social Security System (SSS) contributions this year, expressing worries about “further erosion of already insufficient take-home pay.”
Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Private Schools said increase in SSS contribution rates from 14 to 15 percent would “crush” teachers and workers in private sector already bearing brunt of soaring prices and “meager” wages.
Starting this month, private sector employees, household employers and domestic workers, self-employed workers, voluntary members and land-based overseas Filipino workers will be affected by contribution increase.
Increase was mandated under Social Security Act of 2018, stipulated that SSS should gradually increase contribution rate until it reaches 15 percent by 2025. Increases began at 12 percent in 2019.
Four-tiered contribution increase will ensure pension fund’s financial viability for benefit of its members, pensioners and their beneficiaries.
ACT Private Schools, pointed out private school teachers, along with other private sector employees, are already suffering from inflation, high utility costs and increased Philippine Health Insurance Corp. premiums.
Geronimo said additional SSS deduction from their salaries would take significant chunk from their “already insufficient” take-home pay.
“It is unacceptable that while huge confidential funds are given to Office of the President and other agencies, workers are ones paying higher contributions… 2025 national budget is most anti-people budget we’ve seen, with massive funds going to agencies notorious for corruption while social services remain severely underfunded,” he stressed.
Teachers’ group also criticized SSS’s failure to fully implement 2016 pension hike that promised additional P1,000 for pensioners.
“SSS seems more concerned about extending its fund life through increased collections rather than genuinely serving its members and pensioners,” Geronimo said.
ACT demanded immediate suspension of planned SSS contribution hike, defunding of confidential funds and reallocation of 2025 budget to prioritize education, health and other essential social services.
ISKUP! 