In another laudable move, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on Friday called for an increase in the pension of the Social Security System (SSS) members by up to P7,000. Provincial Board Member Elpidio Jala pushed in a resolution for the raise of the monthly retirement benefit from the moneyed system, noting that the existing pension can stiffly sustain the needs of the elderly. Jala's measure seeks to increase to P4, 000 the minimum pension from current P1,200 and up further to P7,000 in the next six (6) years. For those receiving more than P1, 200, the same shall be increased at a rate similarly computed with the minimum, according to the report of the SP general resolutions and ordinances committee chaired by the lawmaker from Loboc and Loay.

Jala's committee, which also has Board Members Dionisio Balite and Venzencio Arcamo, studied the measure before its approval in Friday's session, which acting floor leader was Board Member Tomas Abapo, Jr. SP Floor Leader Cesar Tomas Lopez was on official business outside capitol. A northern Bohol island boy who struggled his way up to what ladder of legislative government his feet are firm on now, Abapo said this is yet another economic relief for the people amid the knifing cost of living. The board passed Jala's resolution which supports the pertinent bills in both the House of Representatives and Senate. Even if the SSS has been reported spending annually more than P2 billion for operating expenses to include huge allowances of its key officials, the system under good management has the capacity to increase its pension to members, Jala believed.

The capitol legislature earlier passed support benefit measures that seek to double government workers' PERA and adjust the interest rate of their loan with the GSIS. The SP has a pending proposal pushing for the bills in Congress granting pension to barangay officials after years of service. Jala also introduced the resolutions for the above benefits, revealing himself to the public as “Mr. Benefit” and the “Heart of the Board,” according to capitol observers. Abapo is called by some SP staff as the “Brain of the Board.” (Ven rebo Arigo)