A legislative measure that seeks to lower the optional retirement age for government employees—including public school teachers—from 60 to 56 years old has cleared the committee level at the House of Representatives.
The House Committee on Government Enterprises on Thursday approved House Bill No. 207, which proposes crucial amendments to Section 13-A of Republic Act No. 8291, also known as the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Act of 1997. Under the current law, state workers can only opt to retire at age 60.
ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio, who co-authored the bill alongside Kabataan Party-list Representative Renee Co, welcomed the development on Friday, calling it a significant milestone for state workers.
“The committee approval of HB 207 is an important step toward a more humane retirement policy for teachers and government workers who have devoted their lives to public service,” Tinio said in a news release. “This bill gives them a real choice to retire earlier at 56, after years of exhausting work that takes a toll physically, emotionally, and psychologically.”
Tinio emphasized that the bill directly addresses a long-standing grievance raised by educators during consultations.
He pointed out that the grueling conditions in Philippine public schools—such as oversized classes, high pupil-to-teacher ratios, and excessive paperwork—severely affect teachers’ well-being.
According to the lawmaker, teachers regularly work beyond their six hours of mandatory instructional time due to advisory duties and administrative tasks, which often spill over into their official vacation months.
”Public school teachers often leave the profession not with satisfied smiles but with illnesses. Their retirement benefits end up going to medical bills instead of rest, family needs, or building a small livelihood. Lowering the optional retirement age is a matter of dignity and respect for their years of sacrifice,” Tinio stressed.
Tinio clarified that the proposed law will not alter the mandatory retirement age of 65, but will simply provide a wider safety net for those who wish to step down early due to health or personal reasons.
Following the committee’s approval, the progressive lawmaker called on the House leadership to fast-track the bill for plenary debate and urged the Senate to pass a counterpart version.
“We are addressing concerns on sustainability while pursuing what is right for our teachers and government employees. We urge House leadership to fast-track HB 207 to plenary, and we call on the Senate to pass a counterpart measure so this can become law as soon as possible,” he said.
“Karapat-dapat lang na mabigyan ng opsyon ang mga guro at kawani ng gobyerno na magretiro nang mas maaga para maranasan nila ang mas mahaba at mas malusog na panahon ng pahinga.”
It is only right that teachers and government employees are given the option to retire earlier so they can experience a longer and healthier period of rest.