Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the Social Security System (SSS) to implement a moratorium on loan payments, similar to a move by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), to help the middle class cope with the ripple effects of high fuel prices driven by the Middle East conflict.
Even as the Pag-IBIG Fund has granted a three-month housing loan moratorium without interest or penalties to returning OFWs affected by the conflict, Gatchalian is proposing to extend the relief to all Pag-IBIG members.
“We also need to reach out to the middle-class, who are also feeling the pinch right now. We want to do this because the reduction in purchasing power is a reality,” said Gatchalian, Senate PROTECT Committee chair.
He pointed out that the March inflation spike to 4.1% likely cut monthly purchasing power by P1,138 to P2,275 for about 9.158 million lower middle-income households, and by P2,274 to P3,982 for around 3.416 million middle middle-income households, based on Senate Economic Planning Office estimates.
The senator also cited a Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) study highlighting the vulnerability of emerging middle-class households to temporary shocks such as health emergencies, job losses, and price hikes.
Middle Class Posibleng Guminhawa sa Hirit ni Gatchalian na Loan Payment Freeze sa SSS, Pag-IBIG
Hinihimok ni Senador Win Gatchalian ang Social Security System (SSS) na magpatupad ng moratorium sa mga bayad sa loan, katulad ng hakbang na ginawa ng Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), upang matulungan ang middle class na makayanan ang epekto ng mataas na presyo ng langis bunsod ng sigalot sa Gitnang Silangan.
Bagama’t nagkaloob na ang Pag-IBIG Fund ng tatlong buwang moratorium sa housing loan, na walang interes o multa, para sa mga nagbabalik na OFW na apektado ng kaguluhan, iminumungkahi ni Gatchalian na palawakin ang relief na ito sa lahat ng miyembro ng Pag-IBIG.
“Kailangan din nating tulungan ang middle-class, na nakakaramdam din ng hirap ngayon. Gusto nating gawin ito dahil isang reyalidad ang pagbaba ng kakayahang bumili o purchasing power,” ani Gatchalian, na siyang chairman ng Senate PROTECT Committee.
Binigyang-diin niya na ang pag-akyat ng inflation sa 4.1% noong Marso ay tinatayang nagpababa sa buwanang purchasing power ng P1,138 hanggang P2,275 para sa humigit-kumulang 9.158 milyong lower middle-income households, at P2,274 hanggang P3,982 para sa nasa 3.416 milyong middle middle-income households, ayon sa datos ng Senate Economic Planning Office.
Binanggit din ng senador ang pag-aaral ng Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) na nagpapakita sa pagiging bulnerable ng mga pamilyang kabilang sa emerging middle-class sa mga pansamantalang dagok gaya ng health emergency, pagkawala ng trabaho, at pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin.
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