Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday said the postponement of the Social Security System’s (SSS) contribution rate increase should not compromise the benefits that workers in the formal economy are currently enjoying.

In particular, Hontiveros said maternity benefits under the Expanded Maternity Leave law, as well as the additional P1,000 for social pension for retired members should remain intact especially during this time of a pandemic.

“Sa panahon ngayon, kailangang-kailangan ng bawat manggagawa na may sasalo sa kanila (During this time, workers need some assurance). I understand why we need this measure, but I also want us to be sure that the benefits for the workers in the formal economy will not be jeopardized if the new contribution rates are deferred,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

Separate Senate committees earlier tackled various proposed measures that seek to suspend the SSS contribution hike. The filing of the bills came after the state-run social insurance agency announced it will implement its one percentage point hike this year, increasing the previous 12 percent deduction from the members salaries to 13 percent this year.

During the period of interpellation on Senate Bill No. 2027 which seeks to amend Republic Act No. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018, Hontiveros said it is important to ensure there is sufficient benefits and loans that would still be available to SSS members.

“As author of the Expanded Maternity Leave Law, I want to make sure we will not sacrifice any cash benefits that pregnant workers are entitled to. Are we assured that SSS will continue to provide maternity benefits even after this is passed into law?” she pointed out.

“Can the administration also continue the second tranche of the P1,000 pension increase it promised to pensioners that would be given to them before the President’s term ends,” she asked.

The senator further stressed it is important to grant unemployment cash benefits that would serve as income security for displaced and retrenched employees.

  “Around 420,000 workers were laid off in 2020. If, say, half of them are entitled to unemployment benefit and another 100,000 eligible members will lose their jobs this 2021, will the SSS be able to pay what is due them? Can they assure that they would have no problem settling claims of this magnitude?” Hontiveros asked.

She noted that the agency provided a different projection when they were drafting the implementing rules and regulations of the SSS Law in 2018.

But now, the lawmaker said a reduction in their projected revenues could really create the fear of a strain on the cash reserves of SSS, especially during this time of a pandemic where many Filipinos lost their jobs due to the pandemic.