GOOD news to long-time employes of the Manila City Hall.
Mayor Isko Moreno announced having signed a memorandum of agreement with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) wherein those who are retirable in the last quarter of the year will be able to get their benefits via pension even if the city still owes the agency.
He explained that under normal circumstances, the employer deducts from the employe’s salary a certain amount which in turn, is supposed to be forwarded to the GSIS.
In the case of City Hall employes, it will be recalled that when Moreno assumed office last year, it was discovered that the city government owed the GSIS some P195 million.
“May utang pala ang City Hall sa GSIS. Kung kami ay di nagre-remit ng share sa GSIS, ang epekto nito, kawawa ang empleyado ng gobyerno lalo na yung mga magre-retiro kaya’t pilit nating itinatama ang pagkakamali,” Moreno said.
The mayor thanked the GSIS, the city personnel headed by Jo Quintos and city treasurer Jasmin Talegon for having worked out the MOA where the city government is able to save over P68.4 million, when the GSIS agreed to reduce the amount of Manila’s debt from P195 to P126 million.
Under the MOA, the city will begin paying its debt monthly, in January, on a staggered basis.
Moreno said he already directed Talegon to prepare the scheduled payments in fulfilment of the agreement.
“At least ngayon, maaari nang mapanatag ang mga empleyado. If you are retirable in October, November or December, ang epekto ng di updated ay apektado ang pension. Under the MOA, pumayag ang GSIS na lahat ng magreretiro ay as if bayad kayo. So wala nang pangamba,” Moreno said.
The mayor said it is the least they in the city government can do for the employees whom, he said deserve to reap the fruits of their labor for 20 or 30 years in government service.
Moreno lauded the city personnel office for having meticulously worked on the data needed for the MOA.
