The technical working group (TWG) of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Pangasinan Representative Ma. Rachel Arenas convened recently to resume discussion on the bills seeking to adjust the monthly pension and disability benefits of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) retirees.
In his opening remarks, Committee on Foreign Affairs Vice Chair and Rizal Representative Emigdio Tanjuatco III said that the main agenda of the hearing was to craft a bill that would give DFA personnel a better pension system with a funding scheme that would be acceptable to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
“The main agenda of the hearing was to craft a bill that would give DFA personnel a better pension system.”
“During the last meeting, a TWG was created to consolidate the bills into one substitute measure. Let’s come up with a win-win (formula) for everyone,” said Tanjuatco, the TWG Chair.
On the table for deliberation by the TWG were House Bill 4826 introduced by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez; HBs 4916 & 4925 by 1-PACMAN Party-list Rep. Michael Romero; HB 4960 by Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo; HB 5033 by Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr.; HB 5047 by Arenas; HB 5054 by Iloilo City Rep. Julienne Baronda; HB 5210 by Nueva Ecija Rep. Joseph Gilbert Violago; HB 5284 by Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Glona Labadlabad; HB 5320 by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez; HB 5502 by Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, Jr. ; HB 5548 by Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Ma. Cynthia Chan; HB 5679 by Bohol Rep. Edgar Chatto; HB 5930 by USWAG ILONGGO Rep. James Ang Jr.; HB 5947 by Isabela Rep. Antonio Albano; and HB 6108 by Negros Occidental Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez.
“The possible funding source for the special retirement and disability system for the DFA retirees can be sourced from the DFA’s provident fund.”
DFA Assistant Secretary Domingo Nolasco presented the department’s proposal that the possible funding source for the special retirement and disability system for the DFA retirees be sourced from the DFA’s provident fund.
Nolasco said the provident fund was established in 2013 in accordance with Executive Order 644 that provides for the establishment and administration of provident funds in the government. Nolasco added that the DFA’s provident fund was established in accordance with DBM Circular 2008-3.
He also clarified that in their proposal, the DFA would still be under the GSIS with respect to the pension and all other benefits, including life insurance.
