BAYAN Muna partylist representative lawyer Carlos Isagani Zarate called on Malacañang to hasten the release of the order granting the Social Security System (SSS) pension hike for senior citizens.

Zarate, in a press statement, said they have been swamped already with queries and even complaints from SSS pensioners.

"Yet, up until now, all that the SSS management can say is they are supposedly still awaiting the order signed by President Rodrigo Duterte," Zarate said.

He added the pensioners have waited enough, thus, there is no reason at all to prolong even more their agony.

The SSS and Malacañang promised that the initial additional P1,000 to the monthly pension would be released this month, though retroactive beginning January of this year.

"Wag na sanang antayin pa na di na pakinabangan ng mga pensyonado ang dagdag pensyon o di kaya ay abutin pa ito ng hindi katanggap-tanggap na dagdag kontribusyon sa Mayo (Let's not wait for the pensioners not to make use of the additional pension or be hassled when May contribution comes)," Zarate said.

Zarate said while the partylist continue to oppose the 1.5 percent increase in SSS member contribution, they urged the government and the SSS to address first the social justice issues for the pensioners.