THE Association of Women in Theology (Awit) has rebuked President Aquino for vetoing House Bill 5842 (HB 5842), a measure that increases the monthly pension of retired members of the Social Security System (SSS) by P2,000.
Speaking through Rev. Rhea Bitacura-Loquias and Darlene Marquez-Caramanzana, Awit said, “a society that cares for its elderly, and respects the welfare of the old is truly heaven on earth. A government that does not prepare the young for their better future will be the same one to disrespect the elderly of its day.”
Awit said it welcomed the passage of HB 5842, which was authored by Party-list Rep. Neri J. Colmenares of Bayan Muna, since “it reminds us of our obligation as a society to care for the old and elderly. In this way, we honor and cherish the working people who exerted the best of their time, strength and intellect to earn their keep, not only for themselves but for others, too.”
Loquias and Caramanzana added: “We believe that the P2,000 increase for the pension of retirees is a well-studied, unifying bill by Congress and the Senate. President Aquino’s reason for vetoing the bill is that the SSS would go bankrupt by 2029. Denying the old people their right to enjoy security as a reward for which they have labored and toiled is moral bankruptcy.”
The Awit leaders also called for an immediate lifestyle check on the executives of the SSS.
“It is alarming and scandalous that most receive more than P1 million each annually. We call for public release of full reports on the administrative expenses, investments, service disbursements and pensions of the SSS,” they said.
“As women who care for the young, we are also women who look after the welfare of the elderly. We condemn agism as an eminent character of patriarchy. We denounce a system that does not give due respect to the retired people, who fully deserve better social and basic services. A way to act on behalf of the pensioners is to override the veto of President Aquino,” Loquias and Caramanzana said.
“We call on the churches and faithful to join the people’s action to express our commitment to respecting and honoring the elderly, but also for those who were dependent on them,” they noted.
Loquias and Caramanzana said that from their hard work and service, a portion of their income was deducted—faithfully, albeit forcefully—for their future social security.
“We are woman-witnesses to the hard work of the Filipino people. We are aware of the conditions of the many elderly and aging people as we work in churches, parishes, community and social-service agencies, academic institutions, and justice, peace and human-rights advocacy organizations. In the light of agonizing problems of unemployment, poverty and economic crisis continuously gripping the lives of the majority, it is not surprising that some still provide for their family members as dependents. The retirees, especially women, do not actually retire from caring and tending their family members,” they said.
“Their pensions are used to help in taking care of the needs of their children and grandchildren. Likewise, the older ones are usually in need of medical support and medicines for maintenance of their health. Privatization of health services and rising costs of medicines make the upkeep health and welfare of the people more expensive,” Loquias and Caramanzana said.