Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 7873

Introduced by
REPRESENTATIVE LOREN B. LEGARDA

AN ACT
ADJUSTING THE MONTHLY PENSION AND DISABILITY BENEFITS
OF RETIREES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Our Philippine diplomats have always been at the frontlines, to the extent that many
have even risked their lives in the countries where they have been assigned. They
are primarily responsible for assisting our kababayan abroad, even responding to
their needs during critical times and crisis situations. They are also tasked to
advance Philippine diplomatic relations through the four pillars of diplomacy,
namely, the preservation and enhancement of national security, the promotion and
attainment of economic security, the protection of rights and the promotion of
interest of all Filipinos overseas, and the promotion of cultural diplomacy.

Cognizant of the complex responsibilities faced by our foreign service personnel, it is
but fitting to provide them with decent benefits, most especially upon retirement,
thus compensating them for their patriotism and the hard work they have rendered
throughout their career.

This bill thus seeks to adjust the monthly pension and disability benefits of retirees
of the Department of Foreign Affairs, in order to provide them with adequate
support to afford a decent living, to be at par with the current pay scale enjoyed by
those that are currently in active service.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

EG

LOREN LEGARDA

EP RE,
Kew SEN

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LATE: SEP_15 20%,



Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7673

Introduced by
REPRESENTATIVE LOREN B. LEGARDA

AN ACT
ADJUSTING THE MONTHLY PENSION AND DISABILITY BENEFITS
OF RETIREES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. -The Act shall be known as the “Foreign Affairs Retirement
and Disability Benefits Act.

Section 2. Coverage. This Act shall apply to all retired officers and employees of the
DFA who:

a. served in the Department for at least 15 years; and
b. are eligible to receive a monthly pension from the Government Service
Insurance System (GSIS).

All other officers and employees of the DFA who have also retired after serving in
the DFA but who have not complied with all the abovementioned requirements,
shall be covered by applicable benefits under the GSIS Act, as amended.

Section 3. Adjustment of Monthly Pension. The monthly pension benefits of all
retirees of the DFA, as provided under Republic Act No. 7157, shall be automatically
adjusted at the same rate as any future or subsequent increase in the salary grade of
the same rank he or she retired from.


Section 4. Additional Entitlements. All officers and employees covered by Section 1
of this Act, shall be eligible for disability and death benefits in the same manner
provided under the GSIS Act, as amended, and other relevant laws.

Section 5. Retroactive Effect. The benefits under this Act shall also be granted to all
retirees of the DFA who retired prior to the effectivity of this Act in the same manner
provided in Section 2 hereof.

Section 6. Survivorship Benefits. In case of death of a DFA retiree or personnel
who has met the requirements provided in Section 1, the following shall be entitled
to receive the adjusted retirement benefits that the deceased was receiving or
entitled to receive: (a) his or her surviving dependent spouse, during his or her
lifetime, or until he or she remarries; and (b) dependent children. Said benefits shall
be distributed or apportioned in accordance with the GSIS Act, as amended.

Section 7. Appropriation and Funding Source. - The differential funding
requirements for the initial implementation of this Act shall be sourced from any
available savings of the DFA.

Thereafter, the annual differential amount necessary for GSIS to pay the adjusted
monthly pension and other benefits to implement the provisions of this Act shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act annually, to be sourced possibly from
the DFA’s annual consular income as a percentage thereof.

Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within (90) days after the
effectivity of this Act, DFA shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of this Act, in coordination with relevant government
agencies.

Section 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected shall continue to be in full
force and effect.

Section 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, or rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

Section 11, Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
publication in the Official Gazette.

Approved,