Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) does not see a significant impact on its ranks once the proposed pension reform on military and uniformed personnel (MUP) becomes law.
\”Hindi naman siguro maaapektuhan yung PNP as a whole, as an organization because normally naman talaga may mga naka-schedule naman tayong mag-retire and even prior to the enactment nitong MUP ay meron naman talaga tayong uniformed personnel who opts to retire prior to their mandatory retirement,\” said PNP spokesperson PCol Jean Fajardo on Wednesday.
[Translation: I don’t think the PNP will be affected as a whole, as an organization because normally there are those who are scheduled to retire and even prior to the enactment of the proposed law, there are uniformed personnel who opt to retire prior to their mandatory retirement.]
The PNP said while a number are applying for early or optional retirement, the police force is still reaching its quota on recruitment.
\”Meron tayong tinatawag na attrition kung saan napo-foresee na ng PNP a few years ago kung ilan yung magreretire itong taon na ito at sa mga susunod na mga taon para madagdagan din yung quota ng PNP at ma-fill up yung mga vacancy na i-create nitong mga retirements na ito,\” Fajardo added.
[Translation: We have an attrition system wherein we already see a few years earlier how many will retire for this year and in the years to come, so that we can reach the PNP quota and fill up the vacancies due to the retirements.]
There is no minimum age to receive pension among MUP so long as they have rendered at least 20 years of active service.
On the other hand, the Department of Finance (DOF) has recommended to the president the granting of pension at the age of 57, and not automatic after 20 years of service.
Another proposed reform is requiring pension contributions from active personnel and new entrants.
The DOF said contributions will increase gradually over the years: 5% of their salary in the first three years, 7% in the next three years, and 9% in succeeding years.
The PNP said some personnel expressed reservations on the contributions.
\”Doon sa mga nag-aapply ng early retirement, I understand meron pong mga pulis na mag-a-avail ng early retirement because nga yung kanilang pangamba na maabutan sila ng implementation nitong adjustment sa MUP. But nonetheless because of the current and continuing consultation ay napapaliwanagan naman po yung ating mga pulis,” Fajardo said.
[Translation: Those who applied for early retirement, I understand that there are police officers who want to avail of that opportunity because they don’t want to be covered by the implementation of the pension adjustments. But nonetheless because of the current and continuing consultation, some policemen were able to understand the reforms.]
