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Is it
time to raise the distress signal for the Social
Security System (SSS), in the light of the unexpected
resignation of its CEO and the appointment of a
controversial figure to head it?
With 27
million members from the private sector—that’s about a
third of the total Philippine population—the SSS is a
constant presence in the lives of many Filipinos at
various times in their lives.
When SSS
members find themselves financially hard-up and unable
to pay for medical care or their children’s tuition,
they can secure a loan from the SSS to tide them over.
Or if they want to have their own house and lot, they
can obtain a housing loan payable in affordable amounts
over so many years.
When
they retire, SSS members can expect to get a lump sum,
plus monthly pensions for as long as they live, based on
their contributions. That may not be much, especially
for low-income earners, but it’s still something to look
forward to. So it’s important that whoever is in charge
of the SSS must be able to protect the interests of
members, and enjoy their trust and confidence.
Does
incoming SSS administrator Romulo Neri fit the bill?
To
answer that question, we prefer to look at the bigger
picture, which is the SSS mandate.
The
rationale for the existence of the Social Security
System is spelled out in Section 2 of Republic Act 8282:
“It is the policy of the State to establish, develop,
promote and perfect a sound and viable tax-exempt social
security system suitable to the needs of the people
throughout the Philippines which shall promote social
justice and provide meaningful protection to members and
their families against the hazards of disability,
sickness, maternity, old age, death and other
contingencies resulting in loss of income or financial
burden.”
As the
pension fund for private- sector employees, the SSS
mission is to “develop and promote a viable, universal
and equitable social-security protection scheme through
world-class service.”
To be
viable, social-security protection should be provided
through generations. To be universal, social-security
protection should be provided to all residents of the
Philippines, citizens and noncitizens alike, regardless
of creed, gender, age, geographic location and economic
status, especially the disadvantaged, so that no one
will become a burden to society.
To be
equitable, it should make fair and uniform coverage
available to all, with benefits meaningful and able to
sustain a decent standard of living. And to be
world-class, its service should be prompt, accurate and
courteous to ensure total member satisfaction.
We cite
the mandate of the SSS at length to impress upon
Secretary Neri the enormous scope of the job. Can he
hack it as SSS administrator and, at the same time,
oversee the National Social Welfare Program, created via
Administrative Order 232, which seeks to consolidate the
existing programs of the Departments of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD) and Health, Governmant Service
Insurance System, SSS and other agencies providing
social-welfare services?
Our
question is: Why create the National Social Welfare
Program when the DSWD can very well coordinate with
other government agencies with social-welfare functions?
Or is the creation of another bureaucratic layer merely
a means to funnel SSS funds to programs that would make
the Arroyo administration—and by extension, the ruling
party—look good in the eyes of the public, especially
with 2010 not too far in the horizon?
Malacañang has given assurances that the government will
not use SSS funds for the government’s propoor programs.
“No. I am sure the SSS funds will not be used. The
President appointed him [Neri] because there should be
someone who would oversee the social programs,”
according to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.
But on
Friday, the Presidential Task Force on Education said it
is now finalizing “policy guidelines” for the SSS to
adopt an educational loan program for students whose
parents are SSS members. While Presidential Assistant on
Education Mona Valisno says the task force will
“propose” the program to the SSS, this has heightened
fears that Neri’s appointment to the SSS post is part of
a Palace plan to divert funds to bankroll government
programs.
Outgoing
SSS president Corazon de la Paz has urged the pension
fund’s 27 million members to be “vigilant” against
groups and individuals who want to use their money for
agenda not allowed under the SSS charter. The employees’
union of the SSS, for its part, has said it will closely
monitor Neri since he will be administering the money
contributed by SSS members nationwide.
Secretary Neri assumes the mantle of leadership of the
SSS with a cloud of doubt hanging over his head. He may
have the experience in government to allow him to run
the pension fund efficiently, but his credibility is
tainted by his refusal to reveal all he knows about one
of the biggest scandals under the current
administration, the national broadband network with the
Chinese firm ZTE.
This is
one appointment with political payback written all over
it, so it’s not surprising that some sectors now say we
should start sending out an SOS for the SSS. |
