DBM’s Abad: Retired policemen to receive pension via ATM

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Wednesday announced that it would be using automated teller machines (ATM) in releasing the pension of retired policemen, abolishing the check payment scheme.   The new payment scheme could help eliminate the problem of bogus retirees, Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said in a statement.   “Through the ATM platform, PNP retirees will need to personally open a bank account in the presence of a bank officer, thus preventing unscrupulous individuals from opening fraudulent accounts,” he said.   “This is particularly important for individuals who urgently need their benefits to support their health care requirements,” the Budget chief added.   “Not only does this expedite the process for claiming benefits among pensioners. It is also a definite step toward improving transparency in the pension release system, which used to be rife with irregularities,” he noted.   The Budget department earlier shifted to ATM payment mode for retirees of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and those covered by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office.   The number of Philippine National Police retirees are expected to reach 60,000 this year and 66,646 next year, the DBM said.   The ATM payment scheme for retirees of the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology will also be implemented soon, the DBM noted. —Rouchelle Dinglasan/VS, GMA News