Special perks for SSS staff but none for SSS members

I have been a Social Security System member since 1992. Over the past years I have been using my SSS personal loan privilege to finance my needs. I have been made to understand that SSS bases the loan amount on the borrower-member’s contribution. So, every time I renewed my loan, there always was a corresponding increase in the amount. The maximum SSS loan is P24,000 (minus advance interest and service fee). And this is what I have been getting in the past eight years.

Through these years, many SSS chief executive officers and presidents have come and gone, but not one of them lifted a finger to increase the maximum amount of the SSS personal loan. Napako na!

But last, Sept. 5, President Aquino awarded the officers and employees of SSS a P10,000-bonus in recognition of good management and the growth of SSS’ pension funds. Ang swerte ninyo naman, ang agang pang-Christmas (How lucky can you get, how early a Christmas gift).

Meanwhile, only the SSS pensioners were allowed to make a calamity loan. Why, were SSS victims the only flood victims? How about us, active members? Isn’t it the SSS members’ contributions being loaned out for this purpose?

—DENNIS F. WILLIAMS,

132 B. Gonzales St.,

Loyola Heights, Quezon City