House panel OKs bill lowering optional retirement age for gov’t workers to 56

The House Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization on Wednesday approved the consolidated bill seeking to lower the optional retirement age of government workers from 60 years old to 56.

During its meeting, the panel approved the measure consolidating nine House bills which also seek to amend Section 13(a) of RA 8291, or the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Act of 1997.

In House Bill 86, one of the measures for the purpose, Ako Bicol party-list Representative Alfredo Garbin Jr. said a lower optional retirement age for government workers will allow them to enjoy a better quality of life as they are given their pension and retirement benefits at an earlier age.

"VAT exemptions, mandatory membership in the government's healthcare system, and discounts for medicines, basic necessities, and services will all come at an earlier age, reducing the physical toil on our citizens to keep working just to reach the retirement age and avail of the benefits of being a senior citizen," he said.

"This bodes well for the families of our retirees as well, as our retirees have more time to spend with their loved ones in relative comfort. Our retirees and their families will enjoy the fruits of decades' worth of labor and will lessen the burden on the family's spending," he added.

At the same time, a lower retirement age for government employees would be beneficial to the bureaucracy as it will allow for a quicker turnover of positions to younger professionals, Garbin said.

"The bill also creates more employment opportunities for those seeking employment in the government and a chance to serve the country," he said.

Following the approval on the committee level, the House government enterprises panel is set to come up with its committee report.

Deliberation of the bill for second reading is expected next week, the committee added. — BM, GMA News