OLD-AGE and disability pensioners have something to look forward to next year as President Benigno S. Aquino III has pegged their retirement benefits at P5,000 a month.
The President said in his third State of the Nation Address before the Joint Session of the 15th Congress at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday that this was the State’s way of saying thank you for the long years of dedicated service of government retirees.
“From the womb, to school, to work, change has touched the Filipinos. And should a life of government service be chosen, our people can expect the same level of care from the state, until retirement,” the President said.
“Our administration will recognize their contributions to our society as public servants, and will not withhold from them the pensions they themselves contributed to,” he added.
The President said he was shocked to discover that some retirees receive less than P500 a month in pension benefits, barely enough to cover the daily expenses of water, power and food.
“Our response — when the New Year comes our resolution would be that all old-age and disability pensioners will receive no less than five thousand pesos monthly,” the President said.
He added the prudent government spending together with fiscal reforms have allowed the government to use sources to fund priority programs such as the retirement benefits.
“We are heartened that we can meet their needs now, without jeopardizing their future benefits,” the President said. (PCOO)
