‘Republic of the Philippines:

House of Representative

‘Batasan Wills, Queson City

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

house BILL No. 73 18

Introduced by Representative Florencio Gabriel “Bem” G. Noel and
Representative Josephine Veronique “Jaye” R. Lacson-Noel

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Public school teachers are one of the noblest professions known to man. It goes withoitt saying
that they exercise an important public function in rearing the youth to become proficient,
responsible, and indispensable members of our society. However, being part of this profession
requires a considerable demand of time and ample amount of energy in and out of the
educational facility.

Teachers’ effectiveness is dependent on multitude of factors. Their drive towards excellence,
attainment of knowledge for broader scope of learners and re-acquiring relevant and up-to-date
teaching methods, skills and technical know-hows greatly affect their performance as an
effective educator. But as the world age, so as our teachers, then came the K to 12 curriculum
with its purpose to enable technologically capable teachers and technologically literate
leamers. A teacher near his or her retirement age might not be skilled in the digital aspects.
Although this skill is not impossible to learn, some teachers have no longer the leisure of time
to lear and apply new skills.

Therefore, many public-school teachers have expressed their desire to retire from their noble
profession at an age earlier than what is currently set by the law, where the mandatory
retirement is at sixty-five (65) years old. With their current optional retirement age being at
sixty (60) years old, public-school teachers have to contend with maintaining a certain level of
fitness for a such unideal period. Teaching is a great and noble profession that is done out of
pure service and not merely monetary rewards. With their early retirement, teachers can still
have time, money, and energy.

This bill seeks to pay it forward and express the nation’s sincerest gratitude towards dear public
school teachers for their services by lowering the optional retirement age to fifty-five (55) years


of age and grant our teachers with freedom to decide what they want to do while they are still
able

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is respectfully requested.

FLORENCIO GABRIEL “BEM” G. NOEL
Representative
An-Waray Party list

JOSEPHINE VERONIQVE “JAYE” R. LACSON-NOEL
Representative
Malabon City, Lone District


Republic of the Philippines:
House of Representatives
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

rouse BILL NO. 7318

Representative Florencio Gabriel “Bem” G. Noel and
Representative Josephine Veronique “Jaye” R. Lacson-Noel

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 NO. 8291,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE
SYSTEM ACT OF 1997"

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

‘Section 1. Lowering of Optional Retirement Age. - Section 13-A of Republic Act No. 8291,
otherwise known as "The Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997", is hereby
amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 13-A. Conditions for Entitlement. - A member who retires from the
service shall be entitled to the retirement benefits in paragraph (a) of
Section 13 hereof: Provided, That SUCH MEMBER:

"(1) has rendered at least fifteen (15) years of service;

"(2) 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) is not receiving a monthly pension benefit from permanent total disability.”

Sec. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations, — Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity
of this Act, the Government System Insurance System (GSIS), Department of Education
(DepEd), and other concerned government agencies shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.


Sec. 3. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive orders,
presidential proclamations, issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are
contrary to or inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended,
or modified accordingly.

Sec. 4. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,