Bill seeking to extend retirement age of Science and Technology personnel approved

Albay 3rd District Representative Fernando V. Gonzalez (second from left) delivers his sponsorship speech during the deliberation of the House Bill No. 5155.

The House Bill No. 5155 that seeks to extend the compulsory retirement age of Science and Technology personnel including Scientists, Engineers, and Researchers in the Government has been approved by the Committee on Science and Technology on Tuesday, 17 February 2015.

In a sponsorship speech delivered by Albay 3rd District Representative Fernando V. Gonzalez, he mentioned:

"This representation believes that even at the age of 65, most, if not all, scientists are still at the peak of their mental capabilities and are still very much capable of continuing their invaluable work on scientific projects that they had been working on prior to retirement."

Government employees who are due for compulsory retirement (65 years old) may extend their services for a maximum of five years allowing them to retire at the age of 70. Representative Gonzalez further enumerated the salient features of the Bill:

1. While the Magna Carta covers all scientific personnel in government, this House Bill is intended for scientists only;
2. The extension of their services shall be subject to the following conditions:
• a. That the research project that the scientist is working on at the time of compulsory retirement is within the priority research and development programs of the Department of Science and Technology and is identified as strategic to the national development, as certified by the DOST Secretary;
• b. That the scientist is still mentally and physically fit to complete the project; and

• c. That the request for extension of services shall be submitted to the Civil Service Commission for approval at least three months prior to the date of the compulsory retirement of the scientist.

The Bill is an amendment of Republic Act Number 8439, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other Science and Technology Personnel in Government.

Written by Lala Peñafiel