Sen. Imee Marcos urges SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG to temporarily halt contributions
Sen. Imee Marcos urged government insurance companies to temporarily cease collecting contributions amid the country's energy emergency.
In a statement, Marcos said the current energy crisis is causing rising prices in goods, straining workers—particularly farmers and fisherfolk—from paying contributions.
"Ang krisis sa gasolina at krudo ay pabigat lalo sa pang-araw-araw na buhay ng bawat Pilipino, lalo na sa ating mga manggagawa. Kaya't marapat lamang na bigyan natin sila ng kahit isang buwan o higit pang palugit sa pagbabayad ng kanilang mga obligasyon," she said.
"Wag muna nating kaltasan ang kanilang sahod. Ibigay muna ito nang buo upang kahit paano ay makasabay sila sa walang tigil na pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin," she added.
The senator also said that this measure has been done during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that a leeway for workers would help them bounce back from crisis.
"Patuloy ang krisis na ito na wala pang kalinawan kung hanggang kailan matatapos. Nararapat lamang na gawin natin ang lahat ng makakaya para matulungan ang taumbayan," Marcos said.
In retaliation to attacks from the US and Israel, Iran has essentially closed the narrow Strait of Hormuz, through which about a quarter of the world's seaborne oil supply passes. The war in the region has just entered its fourth week. The effect has been immediate and widespread, with fuel prices in the Philippines steadily rising since the beginning of the conflict.
On Mar. 23, the Office of the President denied that there is an oil crisis and assured that the country has sufficient supply.
The following day, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared a national state of energy emergency in response to the Middle East conflict and what he called an "imminent danger" posed to the country's energy supply.
On Mar. 27, Marcos Jr. confirmed on that the Philippines' crude oil supply will last until June 30.
