PNP launches info drive on MUP pension system reform for cops
Published Jul 10, 2023 08:17 am
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is now conducting an information drive to elaborately explain among its personnel the proposed reform in the Military and Uniformed Personnel (MUP) pension system.
Aside from explaining to their men, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr. said they also want to get the sentiments of their personnel specifically on the proposal to deduct certain five percent to nine percent of their salary as contribution for the pension system for policemen.
“We are trying to get all the sentiments of our personnel so that we can make the necessary report or recommendations to the proper authorities, especially in coming up with the legislation,” said Acorda.
Financial Secretary Benjamin Diokno earlier warned of the MUP pension crisis if there would be no immediate reforms that would be initiated.
Unlike private employees and other workers in the government, there is no deduction in the salary of those in the uniformed service. Instead, the government fully shoulder their pension.
Covered by the MUP pension system are personnel from the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the Bureau of Corrections.
A number of uniformed personnel have expressed opposition to the plan and defense and military officials even brought up the issue of mass retirement if the reform pushes through.
Acorda admitted that the issue is a sensitive point of discussion among PNP personnel—to the point that the word ‘contribution’ from their salary appears to be not a good word to start the discussion.
“There are things to be explained. If you say contribution, it’s immediately taken as a negative. There are things that we have been explaining to them like the reform as a long-term one and somehow, there are initial feedback,” said Acorda.
Based on the initial proposal, those in the uniformed service will initially contribute five percent of their salary in the first three years of the implementation while the new recruits would pay nine percent of their salary.
The target is to obtain a 21 percent monthly premium from the salary which is the same with other government employees.
The implementation is gradual—five percent of the monthly salary for the first three years until the target monthly contribution is reached.