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President Rodrigo Duterte is looking into request of various business sector and labor leaders to defer the increase in monthly Social Security System (SSS) contribution of both workers and employers.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said he’ not sure if an simple executive order (EO) from President Duterte would be enough to defer SSS monthly contribution

“Hindi ko alam kung kakayanin ‘yan ng EO kasi ang pinapaliban nila ay ‘yung monthly contribution,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a radio interview.

“Sa tingin ko po pag-aaralan ‘yan ng Ehekutibo dahil ang isyu baka kinakailangan po ng batas,” 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).