Back in December 2019, the bill that seeks to lower the age of government employees have been approved by the House of Representatives; making it on its third and final reading. However, not everyone is in favor of it mainly because of the accustomed to way of our country.
In this regard, Civil Service Commission (CSC) executive Aileen Lizada showed her support and her side of being in favor of lowering the government employee retirement age.
While the public briefing of Laging Handa was airing, Lizada expressed her advocacy; and it was for government employees to have better and more lucrative retirement pays. With this in place, she said that they'll have the option to retire early.
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Current Retirement Age
In case you're not in the know, the current age of retirement for government employees is at 60 years old; it will become mandatory when they reach 65 years old. Furthermore, she said that about 99.9 percent of public sector workers she had spoken with previously had the urge to retire earlier than what the law currently imposes.
She adds that our country has the highest optional age of retirement if compared with other ASEAN countries.
We (the Philippines) have the highest optional age of retirement among Asean countries, which is 60 (years old) optional. We also have the highest mandatory age of retirement among Asean countries, which is 65 (years)."
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That being said, Lizada cared to thank the House of Representatives for their approval of the bill; and now it's currently on their third (3rd) and final reading. What it entails is that the retirement age for government workers would go down from 60 to 56 years old.
Furthermore, she said that everything now would be up to our Senate body, as well as our honorable President.
It is now up to the Senate, and I hope, with the words of the honorable Senate President, (if) this will push through, kasi marami na rin hong pagod (because a lot are already tired). Let us infuse new blood (in)to the system, let us give them the option. Personally, here in my office, I am for the lowering of the age of optional retirement from 60 to 56.”
Unfilled Government Positions
To add to the bill lowering the government employee retirement age, Lizada said that they are inviting government agencies to have a hand in the career fair they're holding. She said that they'll start it this September; and that this'll be a part of the CSC's 120th anniversary.
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She called out to everyone and agency, saying that many people need jobs; she said that she knows many people are looking for jobs and they're prepared to help.
Let us help. Marami hong nangangailangan ng trabaho ngayon. Ibigay natin sa kanila yung opportunities to serve the government and likewise be financially empowered."
In Translation: Let us help. Many people need jobs; let us give them that. Let us give them opportunities to serve the government and, likewise, be financially empowered.
Furthermore, she adds that they'll help government agencies and offices to fill the positions they need to fill. Through the Balik Probinsya program, beneficiaries would also be given a chance to have a career.
Let us fill your unfilled positions. May programa na po yung gobyernong Balik Probinsya, marami na tayong mga JO, at yung ating mga casuals kasi hindi na nga sila nakakapasok sa gobyerno but let us open our unfilled positions."
In Translation: Let us fill your unfilled positions. The Philippine government was able to establish the Balik Probinsya program; we have sent a lot of JOs and to our casuals, they're not able to attend work in public sector offices; but let us open our unfilled positions.
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Your Opinion
Many people look at the lowering of the government employee retirement age as a must; while there are others who are constantly repelling it. What about you? What do you think about the bill seeking to decrease the age of government retirement? Do you think it's better to be this way? Are you agreeing with what the bill discusses?
Regardless of whether it will be signed into law or not, we think that the people should have more options in the context of retirement. They should hold the decision on whether they will be retiring or not.
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Hopefully, our government will have a better sense of it; and every does hope that the Philippine Constitution would remain favorable for citizens.
Source/s: The Philippine News Agency
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