SSS charter amendments eyed

A LAWMAKER on Sunday urged Congress to amend the state pension fund agency’s charter to allow it to disburse social pension payments, instead of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“I would like to see the day when the indigent seniors social pension program (ISSP) and the Centenarians Act cash grants are cared for and managed by the Social Security System (SSS),” Party-list Rep. Rodolfo M. Ordanes said in a statement.

“For this to happen, Congress must amend the SSS charter or enact a new charter for the corporate entity that will run the new ISSP,” he added.

The DSWD currently handles the disbursements of monthly stipends for indigent seniors worth P500.

Meanwhile, the National Commission of Senior Citizens is responsible for releasing cash grants worth P10,000 for senior citizens who reach the age of 80, and additional cash gifts every five years until they turn 95. Those who turn 100 get a P100,000 cash gift from the government. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio