DND wary of MUP bill impact on morale, welfare of troops
SECRETARY Carlito Galvez has appealed to the senators to consider the morale and welfare of the troops in tackling the proposed new pension system for the military and uniform personnel (MUP) retirees.
Meanwhile, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s bill raising the military veteran’s disability pension had a smooth sailing at the Senate.
During a public hearing by the Senate committees on national defense and security, government corporations and public enterprises, ways and means, and finance, Galvez said he was echoing the sentiment of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. about the impact of the new pension system currently under consideration by the Senate.
“In fact, the President also gave an instruction that he is very much concerned about the impact of this on the morale and welfare of the army personnel and policemen, and he wanted that there should be a continuous discussion to have a common ground,” Galvez said.
In the proposed new MUP pension system, retirees will receive 18 months’ worth of their salaries which is only onehalf of the current system that provides a lump sum of 36 months of their salaries. Galvez asserted that 70 to 80 percent of the enlisted personnel were eyeing early retirement to avail themselves of the current pension system.
“Ang gusto nila i-avail na nila ‘yong pension ng current system, kasi ‘yong apprehension ng possible new MUP law magkakaroon ng implication sa kanilang optional retirement,” he said.
“We should really look at the middle ground so that we can see that the morale and welfare of our people will be taken care of,” Galvez.
Galvez also said in a discussion with military personnel and commanders, the group unanimously agreed that the proposed MUP pension law should only cover new entrants.
“If this system is still financially impossible, we are very amenable to modifications in the system so long as it is fair and equitable to the MUP. And also, if it is based on financial soundness or scientific actuarial science,” Galvez said.