Bill filed on higher benefits听DFA听retirees听
SENATOR Panfilo M. Lacson filed a bill that seeks to increase the monthly pension and disability benefits of retirees of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),听putting the rates at听par with the current pay scale听of听those in active service.听听
Mr. Lacson, who chairs the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Commission on Appointments, on Monday filed Senate Bill No. 2347听鈥渢o compensate Philippine foreign service personnel whose invaluable services to the country have helped advance the Philippine interests, improve relations with other countries, and protect Filipinos globally鈥.听听
“Personnel of the DFA are at the frontlines of Philippine foreign relations, sometimes risking their lives under dangerous conditions in their countries of assignment. While in active service, diplomats have demonstrated their resilience as the Philippines鈥 first line of representation in dealing with a plethora of concerns,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.听
He听noted听that some DFA retirees receive听鈥渕easly pension despite rendering long years of service at the frontlines of Philippine foreign relations.鈥澨听
Senate Bill 2347听would apply听to retired officers or employees of the DFA who served for at least 15 years and are eligible to receive monthly pensions from the Government Service Insurance System.听听
Under the bill, the monthly pension benefits of all听DFA听retirees,听as provided under Republic Act 7157听or the听Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991,听shall be automatically adjusted听to听the same rate as any future or subsequent increase in the salary grade of the same rank he or she retired from.听鈥斕Alyssa Nicole O. Tan
