ODIONGAN, Romblon (PIA) — Barangay officials in Romblon province have expressed strong support for the proposal by Social Security System (SSS) President and CEO Rolando Ledesma Macasaet to include barangay captains and kagawads all over the country as members of SSS.
Emil Gerangue, a councilor from Barangay Poblacion in the municipality of Ferrol, said that this initiative would greatly benefit barangay officials and their families, noting that with his monthly honorarium of only P11,000, saving for the future has been difficult. The proposed SSS membership would be a valuable financial cushion, especially when their terms in office end, he stated.
“Magiging daan din po ito para maka-ipon kami sa pamamagitan ng buwanang hinuhulog. Sobrang malaking tulong po ito sa lahat ng mga barangay officials lalo pa’t pag natapos na ang aming termino, wala nang natitira sa amin,” Gerangue said.
(This will pave the way for us to save in the form of our monthly contributions. It will be a big help to all barangay officials, especially because when our terms in office end, we do not have enough financial resources left with us.)
Kagawad Marites Gan of Brgy. Mayha in Odiongan municipality echoed the same sentiments, highlighting the importance of financial security for local officials. She also pointed out that many barangay officials have limited means to save for retirement.
“Sa pamamagitan ng regular na kontribusyon sa SSS, magkakaroon kami ng katiyakan na may matatanggap kami kahit tapos na ang aming termino. Ito ay makakapagbigay ng peace of mind hindi lang sa amin kundi pati sa aming mga pamilya,” she said.
(Through our regular contributions to SSS, we will be assured of financial resources even after our terms of office. This will give peace of mind not only to us but also to our families.)
Macasaet, speaking during the Liga ng mga Barangay’s National Congress on August 13 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, urged barangay officials to secure an SS number and start contributing to be able to avail of social security coverage, including a lifetime monthly pension upon reaching the required number of contributions.
He assured barangay officials that even intermittent contributions would be fine as long as they eventually reach the minimum of 120 contributions, thus granting them lifelong pension benefits.
House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who was present at the event, voiced his support for providing SSS membership to barangay officials like Gerangue and Gan at no cost to them.
He mentioned that the House of Representatives is considering legislation that would mandate local government units (LGUs) to allocate funds for the SSS premium contributions of barangay officials.
“Sa ganitong paraan, hindi na ninyo iisipin ang buwanang hulog sa SSS,” Romualdez stressed, addressing the concerns of local leaders about their welfare and the financial security of their families. (PJF/PIA MIMAROPA-Romblon)
