• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City is requesting the Senate of the Philippines, through Senator Vicente Sotto II, Senate President, to prioritize and support the passage of a counterpart bill amending Republic Act No. 8291, or the Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997.
This is to provide an option for elected officials, who are non-career GSIS members, to pay a voluntary contribution to complete the minimum 15-year requirement in the payment of premiums to enable them to enjoy retirement and other benefits.
The Government Service Insurance Service Act of 1997, under R.A. No. 8291, provides essential social security and insurance benefits to government employees in the Philippines, a resolution authored by Councilor Em Ang and co-authored by Councilors Caesar Distrito and Roberto Rojas, said.
The 19th Congress passed House Bill No. 10733, titled “An Act providing an option for qualified members in the non-career service to pay voluntary contribution to the GSIS, amending for the purpose R.A. No. 8291, or the GSIS Act of 1997, it said.
The resolution said elected officials often serve in a non-career capacity, thus making them ineligible for certain benefits that career government employees receive under the current GSIS provisions.
The lack of options for non-career elected officials to complete the minimum requirement for premium payments comprises their ability to access retirement and other related benefits, creating a significant disparity within the public service sector, it said.
It is in the best interest of democracy and good governance to ensure that all elected officials, regardless of their career status, have equitable access to retirement benefits that acknowledge their service to the public, the resolution said.
Providing an option for non-career GSIS members to pay voluntary contributions to meet the minimum 15-year requirement in premium payments would not only promote fairness but also encourage public service among more individuals who may be deterred by the current limitations, it said.
This amendment would help secure the financial future of non-career elected officials after their terms and reinforce the commitment of these individuals to serving their constituents with the knowledge that their service will be recognized and supported by a fair retirement system, it added.*
