THE Social Security System (SSS) will launch an energy sustainability loan program for residential solar panel installation by the end of the year, with credit of up to P400,000 available to an initial 100,000 households.
SSS President Robert Joseph M. de Claro said the proposed Energy Sustainability Loan will initially cover 100,000 households. The loan guidelines are pending.
“We are crafting a program, the Energy Sustainability Loan, that is something for solar panels. We are targeting 100,000 households that can avail of this,” he told reporters last week.
“Personally, I am targeting September to announce it. Maybe implementation by the end of this year or early next year,” he added.
Mr. de Claro said the SSS is looking to earmark P40 billion for the program.
“We are looking at a maximum of maybe P300,000 to P400,000 payable in four to seven years,” he said.
He added that the interest rate would be set slightly above the Treasury bill rate, or about 5.5%.
Mr. de Claro added the SSS will evaluate next year whether it has room to grant another pension increase.
“Depending on the performance of the fund maybe we can choose to increase,” he added.
However, Mr. de Claro said there have been no serious discussions on another pension hike so far.
“Because ideally, by 2028, we will see what is the right provision. What we are focused on is making the benefits better,” he said.
The SSS previously approved a three-year pension increase in July 2025, allowing pensioners to receive annual increases every September through 2027. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

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