HOUSE Bill 9773 or the proposed “Pensioners’ Equal Benefits Act” made it through the House Special Committee on Senior Citizens.
The bill seeks to provide all pensioners in the county with equal rights, benefits and privileges under Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.
It is also the objective of the proposed measure to correct the existing discrimination and reduction or denial of benefits due to pensioners.
Included here are the “annual Christmas cash gifts” an increase in pension rate, which are not included under Republic Act 7699 or the Portability Law.
Meanwhile, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) expressed doubts on the proposed bill.
During the committee hearing, GSIS Vice President for Legal Lucio Yu explained that the handing of cash gifts to pensioners is “excluded” under the Portability Law.
Meanwhile, the Department of Budget and Management and Department of Finance will file their respective position papers regarding the proposed bill..