PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will certify as urgent a measure introducing reforms in the country's pension system for military and uniformed personnel, Malacañang said on Thursday, February 7.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President agreed to certify the bill as urgent during the 34th Cabinet meeting held at the Palace on Wednesday, February 6.
"Also discussed was the Military and Uniformed Personnel (MUP) Pension Reform Bill proposed by the Department of National Defense which the President said he will certify as an urgent piece of legislation," Panelo told a press conference.
The bill endorsed by the Department of the National Defense to Congress recommended a pension system that sets the new compulsory retirement age at 60, instead of the current 56.
The retiree must also have at least 20 years of satisfactory active service, according to the proposed measure.
The MUP pension reform bill states that those who are currently in service can still opt for early retirement. The measure, however, notes that the pension payments will only start when the retiree or pensioner reaches the age of 60.
A member of the uniformed service who retires will receive a monthly retirement pay equivalent to 2.5 percent for each year of active service, but should not exceed 90 percent of the monthly base and longevity pay of the current salary grade.
For the wounded or killed in action, the pension rate will be raised to 90 percent of base pay, plus longevity pay regardless of years of active service.
Asked if the Palace expects opposition from the military personnel because of the proposed amendments to the current pension system, Panelo thinks there would be none since the measure is "favorable" to them.
"Wala. Pabor nga sa kanila (There will be no opposition. It will be favorable to them). I don't think they will oppose," the Palace official said.
"This measure is designed for their benefit. How? Eh kung 56, retired ka na, tapos na ang trabaho mo. Samantalang kung up to 60 ang retirement mo, may extension kang four years na nag-tatrabaho (When you retire at the age of 56, you no longer have a job. But if the retirement age is 60, you have another four years to work)," he added. (SunStar Philippines)