Plenary hall of the House of Representatives (File photo)
MANILA – The House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously approved on the third and final reading a measure providing non-career service government employees the option to pay voluntary contributions to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
A total of 217 lawmakers voted in favor of House Bill 10733, which seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) 8291 or the GSIS Act of 1997, specifically Sections 13 (retirement benefits) and 13-A (conditions of entitlement).
The bill proposes that GSIS members in the non-career service who have not reached at least 15 years of government service shall be allowed to continue voluntary premium contributions to qualify for retirement and avail of other applicable benefits.
According to the Administrative Code of 1987, the non-career service shall include elective officials; secretaries and other officials of Cabinet rank; chairman and members of commissions and boards with fixed terms of office; as well as the personal or confidential staff of these officials.
Also included in the non-career service are contractual personnel and emergency and seasonal personnel.
House Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization chairperson and Parañaque Rep. Edwin Olivarez said the mandated 15 years of government service to avail of the retirement benefits from the GSIS may not be met by most elected government officials.
He noted that elected officials in the local government and their staff could only stay in office for three consecutive terms or a total of nine years.
Olivarez added that the President serves a six-year term, and the senators are allowed to serve for two terms or a total of 12 years.
"It is only reasonable for these elected government officials who were not able to complete the 15-year requirement but were able to serve maximum terms of office to be given the option to make voluntary contributions to the GSIS for them to qualify for the monthly pension upon reaching the retirement age," Olivarez said.
There are no provisions in RA 8291 that cater to non-career officials, who are eligible for separation pay only and are without any privilege to make voluntary contributions to the GSIS pension program.
GSIS members are entitled to social security benefits, such as life insurance and retirement packages, which are particularly useful for senior members after dedicated years of public service. (PNA)
