FINANCE Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno emphasized the urgent need for a pension reform bill to establish an adequate, fair, dignified, and financially sound pension system for soldiers, policemen, and other uniformed personnel.
“The core objective of the government’s efforts to reform the pension system for military and uniformed personnel is to address the unsustainability and uncertainty of the current pension system. Through these reforms, we can ensure the timely delivery of fair retirement benefits to men and women in service, while gradually lessening the strain on the government budget over time,” said Secretary Diokno in a statement on Tuesday.
The Finance chief issued the statement as the House of Representatives ad hoc committee holds its first hearing on the military and uniformed personnel pension reform bill today.
“The current MUP pension system’s dependence on full government funding exposes it to economic and fiscal downturns and compromises its stability and reliability,” Secretary Diokno said.
Pension arrearages in the past few years alone amounted to PHP 3.7 billion in 2021, PHP 32.6 billion in 2022, PHP 5.2 billion in 2023, with a projected PHP 4.8 billion for 2024.
“The goal is to craft a pension system that factors in the welfare of the military and uniformed personnel in active service and retirees, while making sure it is sustainable and can withstand the test of time,” Secretary Diokno said.
“The emerging consensus provides a framework that balances the welfare of MUPs and the fiscal health of the MUP pension system,” he emphasized.
The creation of the Military and Uniformed Personnel Trust Funds is one of the key reform proposals, according to the Finance Secretary.
“At the core of our reform package is the creation of separate pension funds that recognize the unique nature of military service, and provide retirement benefits that reflect the sacrifices by the military and uniformed personnel,” he said.
These pension funds shall be funded through the military and uniformed personnel’s contributions, with a corresponding government share, and supplemented by the proceeds from the sale or lease of MUP assets, Secretary Diokno explained.
He also assured the soldiers, policemen, and other uniformed personnel that while the reform bill will require them to give a contribution, this is beneficial to them because it gives them full ownership and vested rights over the pension fund.
The economic team is also exploring the possibility of introducing mitigating measures such as loan restructuring to ease the impact of mandatory contributions on personnel with heavy personal loans.
“The creation of a self-sustaining pension fund insulated from economic shocks and the budgetary process is key to ensuring that the State is able to honor its future promises to retirees and their dependents,” according to Secretary Diokno.
The proposal also includes a uniform retirement age of 57 or upon accumulation of 30 years of satisfactory service for the MUP to encourage those in the active service to stay longer and ensure more experienced personnel are retained.
There shall also be a periodic review of pension benefits and a possible increase of up to 1.5 percent per year, subject to the evaluation of economic conditions and actuarial life of the pension fund, to keep up with inflation.
Secretary Diokno extends his gratitude to the House of Representatives for heeding the call of the economic team and further urges Congress to integrate these reforms into the substitute bill.
The economic team conducted a series of exhaustive consultations across the country from May to July 2023––30 roadshows and technical working group meetings in total––with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Corrections, and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.
At least 50 Pinoy teachers in Maui being located amid massive wildfires — DFA
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday at least 50 Pinoy teachers who are currently in Maui are being located by the Philippine Consulate amid the massive wildfires erupted in Lahaina on the island of Maui, Hawaii.
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, in a CNN Philippines interview, said the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu is set to conduct a consular mission in Wailuku town in Maui to get more information on the matter, and ensure that the teachers were not in Lahaina.
“We’ve also authorized them already to provide financial assistance to at least 50 Filipino teachers who are identified as being in Maui under J-1 visas. That’s for sure,” De Vega said in a CNN Philippines interview.
The J-1 visa is granted to foreigners in the work-and-study-based exchange and visitor programs of the U.S.
“They are in Maui and our consulate is locating them because we want to make sure that they’re not in Lahaina—the affected town. In the record, they are not in Lahaina, but they are in Maui. They may have been affected. They may have been on tourist purposes on the area,” he added.
De Vega said that the DFA is ready to assist the teachers should they wish to be repatriated back to the Philippines.
“Based on our experience, teachers, when they are in abroad, they won’t ask to come home. They’ll ask assistance maybe to transfer jobs,” he said.
According to the DFA official, at least 96 people have reportedly died due to Maui wildfires. None of these fatalities were confirmed to be Filipinos yet, but De Vega said there might be Filipino-Americans among them.
“We cannot confirm if anyone is a Filipino citizen. Unfortunately, we have to expect the worst because there will be some Filipino-Americans among the casualties because 17% of the population of Maui are Filipino-Americans,” he added.
The Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce said hundreds of Filipinos were among the more than 1,000 missing in the wildfires which started last week.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), there are 200,000 pure Filipinos living in Hawaii. Sixty percent of them are American citizens.
Abalos urges public to continue trusting police org amid 17-year-old mistaken identity murder probe
INTERIOR and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos vowed to spearhead the review and strict implementation of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) operational guidelines on command responsibility.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City, Abalos emphasized the importance of cultivating accountability, transparency, and effective disciplinary mechanisms within the police organization.
He said even superior officers of the PNP may be held accountable for any irregularities or offenses committed by their subordinates under the doctrine of command responsibility as stated in Napolcom Memorandum Circular No. 95-03 and Executive Order No. 226 on command responsibility in the PNP.
Meanwhile, Abalos noted that the PNP has already detained the police officers involved in the death of Navotas teen Jerhode ‘Jemboy’ Baltazar.”Rest assured that the PNP is pursuing criminal cases against these officers,” Abalos added.
He also said the Internal Audit Service and the Napolcom are also conducting their own probe for purposes of administrative cases against the erring police officers.
Speaker ‘deeply honored’ to receive FAMAS Exemplary Award in Public Service
THE 71st Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awards on Sunday formally conferred the recognition on this year’s FAMAS Exemplary Award in Public Service to Speaker Ferdinand Martin G.
Romualdez for his dedicated, selfless service, and transformative influence in championing people’s welfare.
Speaker Romualdez extended his deep gratitude to FAMAS for recognizing and honoring his efforts in public service with the prestigious accolade given to him during the event held at the Manila Hotel Fiesta Pavilion.
He said the award is a validation of his vision and mission for the betterment of the country and a powerful reminder that his pursuit of excellence in public service for the interest of the Filipino people has not gone unnoticed.
“I am humbled and honored to accept the FAMAS Excellence in Public Service Award. This recognition is not just mine, but belongs to every Filipino whose hopes and dreams inspire and challenge us in the House of Representatives every day,” Speaker Romualdez, leader of the 312-member House of Representatives, said on the award-giving body that also recognizes cinema excellence in several categories.
“As I accept this award, I am reminded that excellence in service is not a destination but a journey. And as we walk this journey together, may we continue to be inspired by the stories we tell and the lives we
touch. Maraming salamat po. Mabuhay ang Pelikulang Pilipino. Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino!” He said.
“Sa lahat ng bumubuo ng FAMAS, maraming salamat po sa pagkilalang ito. Maraming salamat din sa patuloy na paggawa ninyo ng mga pelikulang nagbibigay-buhay sa kulturang Pilipino,” Speaker Romualdez said.
In my tenure as the Speaker, he said “I have always believed that our stories, whether told in the hallowed halls of Congress or the silver screen, are essential threads in the fabric of our nation.”
“Each story, each law, each scene, and each dialogue carries with it the weight of our shared aspirations and the heart of our beloved nation,” he said.
Speaker Romualdez said “our industries, both politics and entertainment” are “powerful storytellers.”
“While one might craft laws and the other crafts stories, both aim totouch hearts and shape futures. Our films and TV shows do not just entertain; they reflect our culture, our values, our dreams, and
sometimes, our very souls. They bring us laughter in times of joy, solace in moments of sorrow, and inspiration when hope seems lost,” Speaker Romualdez said.
“To the artists, directors, writers, and every unsung hero in the entertainment industry, I salute you. You are the torchbearers of our culture, reminding us of our past, grounding us in the present, and
guiding us toward the future. Let us remember that our roles, whether
in public service or in the arts, are intertwined in our shared mission: to elevate the Filipino spirit, to dream bigger for our nation, and to weave tales of hope, resilience, and unity,” Speaker
Romuldez said.
Cavitex to implement new toll rates effective August 21
THE Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), the government agency that regulates all toll roads in the Philippines has recently approved the 2017 periodic toll petition of joint venture partners Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation (CIC) and Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), for the toll rate adjustments in the 14-kilometer Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX).
Under the Toll Operation Agreement between the TRB, CIC, and PRA, the CAVITEX toll rates are allowed to be periodically adjusted every three (3) years. Exercising their right, CIC and PRA filed their Petition for Approval of Periodic Toll Rate Adjustment for R-1 Expressway (Seaside to Zapote) and R-1 Expressway Extension, Segment 4 (Zapote to Kawit) before the TRB in 2017.
Upon careful consideration and diligent review of the submissions, the TRB issued its Resolution granting the Petition and allowing the implementation of the provisionally approved toll rates.
With this, starting midnight on August 21, 2023, CAVITEX motorists traveling from MIAA Exit to Longos, Bacoor (and vice versa) would be charged the following VAT-inclusive rates per vehicle class at the Parañaque Toll Plaza: Php 35.00 for Class 1, Php 70.00 for Class 2, and Php 104.00 for Class 3.
Meanwhile, motorists traversing Longos, Bacoor to Kawit (and vice versa) would be charged at the Kawit Toll Plaza with Php 73.00 for Class 1, Php 146.00 for Class 2, and Php 219.00 for Class 3.
Through the years, CIC and PRA remain dedicated to enhancing and maintaining the CAVITEX, continuously striving to provide a seamless and safe travel experience for all motorists. They have jointly undertaken various enhancements, including a full asphalt overlay across the entire stretch of the expressway, the construction of the Pacific fly-over and Marina left turning facility, the widening of Las Pinas, Wawa, and Paranaque bridges, and regular heavy maintenance works, to ensure optimal road quality. To enhance the efficiency of its toll collection system, the toll road operator has implemented Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology. This advanced system utilizes smart cameras to instantly recognize and capture vehicle license plates at all toll booths, enabling seamless and fast-track cashless transactions. These improvements have greatly contributed to the safety and convenience of the 160,000 average daily motorists who rely on CAVITEX.
Mindful of the effect of the toll rate adjustment, CIC will be reactivating the Abante Card program. CIC has initiated the program specifically to support public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers who ply the CAVITEX thoroughfare, including jeepneys, UV Express, and buses. Through the program, PUV operators and drivers can enjoy the old toll rates, helping them sustain their businesses and facilitate affordable transportation options for commuters.
“We recognize the impact of the toll increase on Class 1 and Class 2 PUV drivers. That’s why we’re reactivating our Abante Card program to provide some relief during this transition. With the Abante Card, PUV drivers will have the opportunity to adjust and enjoy the old toll rates for a period of about three months. We believe this program will help alleviate the financial burden on our valued PUV drivers and provide them with a smoother transition during this time. We remain committed to supporting the PUV community and ensuring their continued success on the road,” said MPTC President and CEO Rogelio Singson.
The toll reprieve program has been designed to be user-friendly and convenient for PUV operators and drivers. Through a simple RFID enrollment process, operators can easily register their accounts in coordination with their respective transport organizations. Once enrolled, the program will automatically apply the reprieve for a duration of 90 days, starting from the first day of the implementation of the new toll rates.
Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation is a concessionaire of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, the leading tollway and mobility service provider in the country. Aside from CAVITEX, MPTC also holds concession rights for Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark Expressway (SCTEX), NLEX Connector, and Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX)
