Cayetano wants retirement age of uniformed personnel extended

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday sought to adjust the mandatory retirement age for uniformed personnel from the current 56 to 60 years old to extend their service in government.

“We need more competent and dedicated uniformed personnel to assist our government pursue its programs to ensure peaceful, orderly, and safe communities," Cayetano said in a statement.

Cayetano filed Senate Bill No. 1436 last May 4. He has been appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as Foreign Affairs secretary on Wednesday. 

The measure includes officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Cayetano explained that the tasks performed by these personnel require years of training and experience, saying he is confident that they can still perform their duties beyond the age of 56.

"Recognizing their indispensable role as protectors of the State and its citizens, the government has heavily invested in the training and development of the officers and members of these agencies," Cayetano said.

“We need to maximize their years of experience and wealth of knowledge, harness their leadership skills, and professional competence until the age of 60,” he added.

Under existing laws, government employees have a compulsory retirement age of 65, while uniformed personnel are required to retire by 56 years old.

Uniformed personnel are also mandatorily retired if they accumulated at least 30 years of satisfactory service.

Cayetano said he hopes the measure would extend the service of qualified officials while removing those involved in corruption.

"The senior officials are in the best position to help our administration to lead the reforms in their respective agencies,“ Cayetano said.

“Additional years in service would also allow these officers to have more opportunities for career advancement,” he added. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/MDM, GMA News