Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Tuesday questioned the motives of former Social Security System (SSS) chief executive Rolando Ledesma Macasaet in calling for the suspension of the scheduled increase in contribution rates.
“You must understand kung kanino galing ‘yung call – kandidato eh. Si Rolly Macasaet, who used to be president of SSS,” Bersamin said in a Palace briefing.
Macasaet stepped down from his position last year to run for a congressional seat in the May elections under the SSS-GSIS Pensyonado party-list.
“I don’t know if that is part of his way of campaigning. Pero we will consider seriously kung that issue ever is brought to us officially. We can understand where that call is being made,” Bersamin said.
Bersamin urged the public to allow the increase to proceed, saying the hike was based on thorough actuarial studies. The adjustment, he said, was planned well in advance.
“I want you to understand, ang mga ganyang increases, they are well studied based on actuarial considerations. Napakahirap na sabihin mo ‘huwag kayong mag-increase.’ We cannot be that arbitrary,” Bersamin said.
“We have to recognize that this SSS has a very respected actuary. Mayroon silang pag-aaral tungkol diyan,” he added.
Bersamin also emphasized the importance of letting the SSS operate without undue interference, warning that constant meddling could have negative consequences.
“If you always meddle in their management of their affairs where they are very specialized, it will not work. It may even be negative ang impact,” he stated.
Bersamin said any potential review of the contribution hike could be appropriate in the future but maintained the current increase should continue as scheduled.
“So, pabayaan natin muna… Palagay ko, maaaring ‘yung call na ‘yan is maybe good for next year if it ever will be reviewed. But right now, matagal na nilang pinag-aralan ‘yan, in-announce nila long before that call was made,” Bersamin said.
“And in fact, these benefits are being expanded now. So, why don’t we just let that process continue and produce results that were predicted by actuarial studies,” he said. (PND)
