ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro called on the Marcos administration to fast track the reforms in the military and uniformed personnel pension system so savings can be used to increase the salaries of teachers and nurses.

“We do not agree with the proposal to use P120 billion of government savings to fund the pension of the MUP. What can be done is fast track the proposed bills to reform their pension system so that it can be implemented as early as possible,” Castro said.

“Sa halip na gamitin ang P120 billion savings sa matagal nang bini-baby na mga militar at pulis na dinoble na nga ang sahod at ang tataas pa ng walang bayad na pensyon ay paglaanan naman ng pondo ang mga guro at mga nurses para ‘di na sila mag-OFW,” she added.

“Namomoblema tayo dahil nag-aalisan ang mga guro at nurses, pero di naman sila pinaglalaanan ng sapat na sahod at benepisyo ng gobyerno. Kapag di pa din tumaas ang sahod ng mga guro at nurses ngayong taon ay mas madami pa ang aalis ng bansa,” the solon further said.

Based on data from 2017 to 2023 national budgets, the allocations for MUP pensions ranged from P81.7 billion in 2018 to a high of P163.99 billion in 2022.

For 2023, P139.51 billion was allocated for the pension of retired MUPs.

In comparison, the allocation for the pension of civilian government employees ranged from P1.15 billion in 2017 to a high of P1.6 billion in 2022.

“Ang laki talaga ng disparity at kawawa naman ang iba pang government employees lalo na ang mga nasa private sector na ang laki ng contributions nila pero kakarampot lang ang nakukuha,” Castro stressed.

“What can be done is to make MUP pension contributory rather than all of taxpayers shouldering it. The DBM can set a progressively increasing pension contribution based on rank and active years of service,” she added.

Castro explained this can help stave off the fiscal collapse the MUP pension may cause in 3-5 years time.

“The DBM even said that around P300 billion has been allotted for the MUP pension in the 2024 budget allone. So it is really a significant part of the national budget that needs to be reallocated,” she added.

“Kung anuman, kailangan namang pagtuunan na ng pansin at pondohan ng gobyerno ang dagdag sahod ng mga guro at nurses na ang matitipid sa MUP pension ang pwedeng pagkunan,” Castro added.