Old age fund mulled for QC ex-teachers, gov’t workers

MANILA, Philippines—The Quezon City Council is mulling a proposal to give a monthly old age stipend to retired public school teachers and city government workers once they reach the age of 70.

Retired employees of the division of city schools, apart from retired teachers in public schools are also included in the P500 benefit, according to the proposed ordinance.

The measure was authored by Councilors Winnie Castelo, Jorge Banal Jr., Antonio Inton Jr. and Jesus Suntay, and is currently being deliberated by the 26-member city council.

The old age fund is apart from the regular retirement benefits retirees receive from the Government Service Insurance System.

The proposal pointed out that retired city government workers and teachers and employees of the division of city schools dedicate the most productive years of their lives to the government and teaching the young.

“After retirement and their separation from the service, these retirees are often left on their own in the struggle for survival,” the measure read.

The P500 monthly sustenance will end upon the death of the retiree.

It will also allow the initial appropriation of P2 million from the city treasurer’s general fund for the payment of the allowance for the first year. –Julie M. Aurelio, Philippine Daily Inquirer