SSS reply to plaint re ‘delayed’ EC

THIS IS in reference to the letter of Gregorio S. Puri Jr. titled “SSS-Tarlac spurning ruling favoring pensioner.” (Inquirer, 5/4/11)
Puri is entitled to receive back payments for “permanent total disability” benefits under the Employees’ Compensation (EC) program. The Court of Appeals ruled last Jan. 11 that his claim took effect on July 21, 1997, the date he retired because of his disability, and at that time, it was possible that his children were still minors. Puri filed his benefit claim on Sept. 27, 2006.

He said: “Until now, the servicing branch, SSS Tarlac, refuses to pay my benefits because, allegedly, I have yet to submit all my children’s birth certificates and, if they are married, also their marriage contracts… SSS-Tarlac’s refusal is just a delaying tactic and is meant to deprive me of something that is due me.”

The birth certificates would determine the amount of back payments for dependents’ pensions. In July 1997, Puri had two sons aged 17 and 19 (as reflected in the SSS E-4 forms he submitted on August 23, 1989 and June 22, 1979).

The birth certificates would also confirm if his children are entitled to get monthly dependents’ pensions starting July 1997, which would stop when they reach legal age. We also requested the submission of marriage contracts because pensions would cease if the dependents get married before turning 21.
We received no feedback from Puri until his letter came out in the Inquirer. Nevertheless, because of his letter, the SSS decided to proceed with the processing of his application. Puri would have to file for re-adjudication of his disability claim to include his minor children by submitting the required documents.

We wish to point out that this is not the first benefit Puri has claimed from the SSS. He has received a total of P276,645 from 1998 to 2002 representing several fixed-period SSS and EC pensions for “partial permanent disability”; a total of P482,966 for retirement pensions since 2003; and P75,754 in bonuses. These are on top of the P146,775 total payout so far for “permanent total disability” EC benefits since September 2006.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to air our side on the issue.

—JOEL P. PALACIOS,
assistant vice president,
Media Affairs Department,
Social Security System,
East Avenue,
Diliman, Quezon City