Outgoing SSS chief wishes pension funds won’t be misused

MANILA, Philippines - Make sure the funds of the Social Security System are used only for lawful purposes, and for the welfare of its members. This was the advice of outgoing Social Security System president Corazon dela Paz, who would step down from office on Aug. 1 after her seven-year stint in office. "Kailangan alagaan ito ang pondo gamitin lang sa (ilalim) ng batas (Use the funds for lawful purposes only)," she said in an interview on DZRH Thursday. Dela Paz also said she has no regrets heading the SSS, even as she thanked its employees for showing to her that government employees are not the slobs many perceive them to be. "Ako nagpapasalamat sa nagging SSS employees at members sa pagbibigay tiwala sa akin nitong pitong taon (I am thankful for the SSS employees and members who trusted me the last seven years)," she said. Dela Paz will formally exit the SSS on Aug. 1, when Commission on Higher Education chairman Romulo Neri takes over. Malacañang named Neri new SSS chief Wednesday. The outgoing SSS chief also said her stint in government proved an eye-opener as she learned not all government employees are sloppy or corrupt. Under her watch, she said SSS employees were willing to sacrifice salary cuts and slashes in benefits just to keep the agency afloat. Contrary to the perceptions of some people, SSS employees have demonstrated that government employees are not useless or corrupt. They were willing to take cuts in salaries and benefits, and go without increases or promotions, she said in Filipino. Dela Paz said the sacrifices the SSS employees made under her watch was "a big issue" for her. She also asked SSS employees to keep the agency responsive to the needs of its members. "Ang aming ginawa palaguin ito para sa oras ng pangangailangan ng member maibibigay namin ang tulong maski kaunti lamang. Yan ang issue bakit may social security (We have improved the SSS so that in times of need, the SSS will be there for its members)," she said. - GMANews.TV