Manila: House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio on Friday welcomed the committee approval of a proposed measure seeking to lower the optional retirement age of government workers, including public school teachers, from 60 to 56 years old.
According to Philippines News Agency, the House Committee on Government Enterprises approved on Thursday House Bill No. 207, a measure co-authored by Rep. Tinio and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co. The bill proposes an amendment to Section 13-A of Republic Act No. 8291, or the GSIS (Government Service Insurance System) Act of 1997, which currently mandates the optional retirement age among government workers at 60 years old.
"The committee approval of HB 207 is an important step toward a more humane retirement policy for teachers and government workers who have devoted their lives to public service," Tinio said in a news release. "This bill gives them a real choice to retire earlier at 56, after years of exhausting work that takes a toll physically, emotionally, and psychologically."
Tinio highlighted that the proposed measure addresses a long-standing demand raised by teachers in consultations, as many are compelled to work until late in life despite illnesses and the heavy burdens of the job. He pointed out that teachers in Philippine public schools face challenging conditions, including large class sizes, high pupil-teacher ratios, and workloads that extend beyond official hours.
He further explained that teachers often work beyond the six hours of official instruction time due to advisory loads, paperwork, and duties even during supposed vacation months. "Public school teachers often leave the profession not with satisfied smiles but with illnesses. Their retirement benefits end up going to medical bills instead of rest, family needs, or building a small livelihood. Lowering the optional retirement age is a matter of dignity and respect for their years of sacrifice," Tinio said.
The bill does not reduce the compulsory retirement age but expands the option for earlier retirement, allowing those worn down by decades of work to step back sooner if they choose. "We are addressing concerns on sustainability while pursuing what is right for our teachers and government employees. We urge House leadership to fast-track HB 207 to plenary, and we call on the Senate to pass a counterpart measure so this can become law as soon as possible," he added.
Tinio emphasized the importance of giving teachers and government workers the option to retire earlier, saying, "Karapat-dapat lang na mabigyan ng opsyon ang mga guro at kawani ng gobyerno na magretiro nang mas maaga para maranasan nila ang mas mahaba at mas malusog na panahon ng pahinga (It's only right to give an option to our teachers and government workers to retire earlier for them to experience a longer and healthy time of rest)."
