Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _1280 ,

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Education in the Philippines is a priority of the State as evidenced by the recent
increase in the Department of Education's (DepEd) budget of PHP 612 billion for
2018 from PHP 567 billion in 2017. In the House of Representatives, legislators
continue to draft policies that support the advancement and growth of the education
sector, keeping in mind the key issues the sector is facing. Most policies, however,
focus on the sector-wide education reform, like the K to 12 program backed by
legislation. Most recently, the DepEd budget was realigned 'to help fund the Universal
Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

This bill aims to put focus on the people that keep the Education sector alive—the
teachers. Being the ones at the forefront of educating the youth that are considered
the future of this nation, it is fair that they be allowed the option to hang their hats and
retire at a much younger age than the current requirement. This bill proposes to lower
the optional retirement age from 60 years old to 55 years old, letting them reap the
benefits of their hard work much earlier. This would also allow for job opportunities to
open up for new batch of teachers wanting to serve but have been hindered by the
lack of teaching items

In taking care of our teachers, we are in turn ensuring that the quality of education in
the country. Teachers are vital in nation-building—without them, our young citizens
would lack the needed knowledge they need to go through life.

The approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ul ‘YI F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

https:/www.rappler.com/nation/ 83504-k-to-12-
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1280

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
LOWERING THE COMPULSORY AND OPTIONAL RETIREMENT
AGE OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "New Retirement Age of
Public Schoo! Teachers Act."

SECTION 2. Compulsory Retirement Age. — The compulsory retirement age for all
Public school teachers shall be upon the attainment of the age of sixty (60). If a
public school teacher has less than 15 years of service, he may be allowed to
continue in the service until he reaches the age of sixty-five (65), in accordance with
existing civil service rules and regulations.

SECTION 3. Retirement Benefits. — Retirement benefits may, upon election of the
retiree, be received in the following manner:

1) Lump sum payment, as defined under the Republic Act No. 8291 or the
"Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997", payable at the time of
retirement, plus an old-age pension benefit equal to the basic monthly
pension, payable monthly for life, starting upon the expiration of the five (5)
year guaranteed period covered by the lump sum; or


2) Cash payment equivalent to eighteen (18) months of his basic monthly

pension, plus monthly pension for life payable on the first month following
the date of retirement.

SECTION 4. Optional Retirement Age. — A public school teacher who retires from

the service shall be entitled to the retirement benefits in the preceding paragraph
provided that:

1) He or she has rendered at least fifteen (15) years of service;
2) He or she is at least fifty-five (55) years of age at the time of retirement; and
3) He or she is not receiving a monthly pension for a permanent total disability

benefit under the R.A. 8291 or the "Government Service Insurance System
Act of 1997"

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days upon
the approval of this Act, the Government Service Insurance System shall, in
consultation with the various stakeholders, formulate the rules and regulations
necessary for the proper implementation of this Act.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. — All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive
orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent
with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, modified or
repealed accordingly.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,