SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENATE
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S. B. NO. 122?.
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill aims to lower the compulsory retirement age of public 
school teachers from 65 to 60 years old and optional retirement age 
from 60 to 55 years old by amending Republic Act 8291, the 
Revised Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997, for the 
following reasons:
First, teaching is mentally, psychologically and physically 
rigorous and demanding occupation. Public school teachers are 
required to render six-hours of actual classroom teaching and the 
remaining two hours are set aside for non-contact duties such as 
attending meetings and marking. In reality, however, they are 
working more than eight hours a day and sometimes even during 
weekends and public holidays, sacrificing their health and work-life 
balance. Oftentimes, teachers in public schools also perform non­
teaching tasks during elections and national census.
Moreover, while the ideal students/pupil-teacher ratio is 45:1 
for secondary level and 35:1 for elementary level, class sizes reach 
above 70 up to 781 in congested cities causing undue stress to 
teachers, to say the very least.
1 http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/607755/school-heads-cede-offlces-to-classes-626-metro-public-schools-
have-2-shifts#ixzz4NbbibF5H


In remote areas, teachers face immense challenge on their 
commute to their schools. Some spend several hours walking miles 
and in some cases, crossing rivers just to to get to their classes on 
time. On the other hand, school heads and principals who are 
assigned to a cluster of at least three or more schools commute 
more often to get to and from these clustered schools on a daily 
basis.
Second, Filipino teachers retire at age 65 while their 
counterparts in most ASEAN countries retire at age 60 (UNPAN, 
2004). A report revealed that all elementary school teachers in 
Indonesia and Malaysia are below 60 years old while about 62,000 
elementary teachers in the Philippines are now over 60 years old.2 
Filipino teachers also retire five years later than in most American 
and European countries.
Third, thousands of retirable DepEd teachers and personnel 
who want to pursue entrepreneurial activities or to spend more 
quality time with their families and loved ones will benefit once the 
retirement age for teachers is lowered. As a matter of fact, many 
teachers could not even reach the optional retirement age because 
of their health conditions. Hence, this proposal can help our 
teachers enjoy their retirement years while they are still flexible and 
strong.
Fourth, this measure could open job opportunities to younger 
batch of teachers or fresh graduates who are looking for a career in 
teaching. In fact, about 75,000 new teachers would pass the 
Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LET) annually. 
Due to lack of teaching items, most LET passers are forced to 
accept non-teaching jobs locally and abroad. Others who were 
ranked by the DepEd would have to wait for at least one to two 
years before getting an appointment because senior teachers are 
still holding the posts.
Fifth, there are evidences that younger teachers are more 
productive and work more collaboratively. The K-12 law or the 
Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 demands that K-12 teachers 
should be energetic, healthy, and fit. Likewise, young teachers who 
are digital natives can better equip their students with information.
teacher
http://newsinfo.inqiiirer.net/680244/house-body-oks-bill-lowering-retirement-age-of-public-school-
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media and technology skills and learning and innovation skills which 
are necessary to nurture the holistically developed Filipino learner.
However, the bill does not intend to discriminate teachers 
based on age. A number of consultations in the past pointed out the 
need for an early retirement among public school teachers. Interest 
groups like the Philippine Government Employees Association and 
the Philippine Public School Teachers Association have on various 
occasions expressed their support for this measure.
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR 
VILLANUEVA


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
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SENATE
s. B. NO 1222
It K( I'. E \ j .1» MY:
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
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AN ACT
LOWERING THE OPTIONAL RETIREMENT AGE OF PUBLIC 
SCHOOL TEACHERS FROM SIXTY (60) YEARS OLD TO FIFTY- 
FIVE (55) YEARS OLD, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 
SECTION 13-A OF REPUBLIC ACT 8291, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM ACT
OF 1997
Be it enacted in the Senate and the House of Representatives in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. 
Lowering of Mandatory Retirement Age. Section 13-A of 
Republic Act 8291, or the Revised Government Service Insurance System Act 
of 1997, is hereby amended to read as follows:
“Section 13-A. Conditions for Entitlement, x x x A member who retires 
from the 
service shall be entitled to the retirement benefits in paragraph (a) 
of Section 13 
hereof: Provided, That:
“(1) he OR SHE has rendered at least fifteen (15) years of service;
“(2) 
he OR SHE is at least sixty (60) years of age at the time of 
retirement, OR 
AT LEAST FIFTY-FIVE (55) YEARS OF AGE IN THE 
CASE OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS; and
“(3) 
he OR SHE is not receiving a monthly pension benefit from 
permanent total disability”


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SECTION 2. Repealing clause. The provisions in pertinent implementing rules 
and regulations and other issuances inconsistent with this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.
Issuances inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly.
SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty (60) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education and other 
concerned government agencies shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
SECTION 4. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,