Palace to study request for SSS rate hike deferment

Malacañang will look into the request of business and labor leaders for President Rodrigo Duterte to issue an executive order (EO) deferring the increase in the monthly Social Security System (SSS) contributions of both workers and employers.

"Hindi ko alam kung kakayanin 'yan ng EO kasi ang pinapaliban nila ay 'yung monthly contribution [I don't know if an EO would suffice for what they are asking]," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque told Unang Balita on Thursday.

"Sa tingin ko po pag-aaralan 'yan ng Ehekutibo dahil ang isyu baka kinakailangan po ng batas [I think the Executive will look into it because that may need a law]," he added.

In a joint letter dated September 27, business and labor groups said that the issuance of an EO is necessary to allow embattled micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to continue to operate and provide jobs amid the prolonged challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The letter was signed by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Philippine Exporters Confederation (PhilExport), Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Federation of Free Workers (FFW), Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (Sentro), Partido Manggagawa (PM), Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCI), Makati Business Club (MBC), and Management Association of the Philippines (MAP).  —KBK, GMA News