House of Representatives logo and plenary. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on the third and final reading a bill lowering the optional retirement age of government personnel from 60 years to 56 years.
A total of 268 lawmakers voted for the approval of House Bill No. 206 or An Act lowering the optional retirement age of government workers from sixty years to 56 years, amending for the purpose Section 13-A of Republic Act 8291, otherwise known as The Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997,” while one voted against, and another abstained.
According to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez in a statement the same day, allowing government personnel to retire early would enhance their well-being.
“They can opt to quit working, receive their benefits, do other activities, and enjoy life in retirement with their loved ones even before they become senior citizens,” he said.
“It’s surely more fun to live life without work-related stress,” Romualdez added.
The authors of the said bill also noted that Filipinos need more rest to live longer, acknowledging that the average life expectancy of a Filipino is shorter than other nationals.
The said bill is a consolidation of 13 related measures, which states that a government worker-GSIS member would be entitled to retirement benefits if they are at least 56 years of age at the time of retirement and have rendered service for at least 15 years and not receiving a monthly pension for permanent total disability.
Under RA 8291, a retiring member could opt for a five-year lump sum of benefits, with his monthly pension to be paid after five years, or cash equivalent to 18 months, with the payment of his pension taking effect immediately.
Meanwhile, retirement is compulsory at 65 years.
With this, government personnel’s retirement age at 56 put it at par with members of the military and the police.
Authors of HB 206 include House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe, Reps. France Castro, Arlene Brosas, Raoul Manuel, Maria Zamora, Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Joseph “Caraps” Paduano, Christopherson “Coco” Yap, Lorna Silverio, Edwin Olivarez, Reynante Arrogancia, Luis Raymund “Lray” Villafuerte Jr., Miguel Luis Villafuerte, Patrick Michael Vargas, Joseph Gilbert Violago, Edgar Chatto, Gabriel Bordado Jr., John Tracy Cagas, Carl Nicolas Cari, Divina Grace Yu, Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata, Nicolas VIII Enciso, Edsel Galeos, Robert Raymund Estrella, Bonifacio Bosita, Steve Chiongbian Solon, Teodorico Haresco Jr., Irwin Tieng, Christian Tell Yap, Rosanna “Ria” Vergara, Rodolfo “Ompong” Ordanes, Faustino “Inno” Dy V, Salvador Pleyto, Joey Sarte Salceda, Gus Tambunting, and Jeyzel Victoria Yu.