Pension for gov't retirees pressed

Lawmakers sought Saturday a monthly pension for government retirees who have reached the age of 70, saying the government should look after the welfare of the elderly.

Bayan Muna party-list Representatives Teddy Casiño and Neri Colmenares pushed for the monthly pension for government retirees to enjoy the “fruits of their labor” under their House Bill 5658.

“They should be compensated through a monthly pension, which to most of them could be their only source of income,” they said.

Colmenares sought the passage of the measure, saying that most of the retirees need financial backing.

“The government has the obligation to take care of its elderly population, especially those who rendered years of service in the government during the prime of their lives,” he said.

Casiño said the government should take the responsibility in reviewing and upgrading “from time to time” the pensions and other benefits given to retirees from both public and private sectors.

“It is the duty of the State to create conditions which are necessary to realize the right of all citizens particularly the underprivileged, the equal opportunity,” he said.

HB 5658 tasks the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to determine the monthly pension of a retiree as defined and formulate guidelines in the disbursement for the beneficiaries.

The proposed Act also authorizes the President to realign or transfer any item appropriate within the GSIS and utilize any savings to carry out the provisions of the measure.

By CHARISSA M. LUCI
mb.com.ph

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