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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS ) fiz RECEIVED ~
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) -)
Second Regular Session ) ri
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES %
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
House Bill No. vss
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Our diplomats play various and important roles in the world stage. They represent the
Philippines abroad. Aside from helping Filipinos in their areas of jurisdiction, they also advance
the interests of the Philippines thru diplomacy,

In some cases, our diplomats are assigned in dangerous areas and leave their families behind.
They sacrifice a lot for the Philippines.

This is why the government tries its best to provides the best possible benefits to them, not
‘only during their service but also when they retire.

This bill 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

This is the least we can do in order to recognize all the sacrifices and hard work of our
diplomats.

'n view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

RUFYS B. ROI UEZ


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
)

‘Second Regular Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
House Bilt No, 2755
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:

@. served in the Department for at least 15 years; and
b. are eligible to receive a monthly pension from the Govemment 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 alll 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 annuaily, 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 (18) days from its
Publication in the Official Gazette.

Approved,