Romer Butuyan 
LUSOT na sa ikatlo at huling pagbasa sa plenaryo ng Kamara ang House Bill 8702, na nagsusulong gawing 57-anyos ang mandatory retirement age ng uniformed personnel ng Philippine National Police (PNP).
Sa botong 233 mambabatas na pumabor, inaprubahan ang panukalang amyenda sa Section 39 ng Republic Act 6975 o ang Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990.
Ayon kay House Majority Leader at Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, ang HB 8702 ay kabilang sa priority measures ng liderato ng Kamara sa ilalim ng pamumuno ng House Speaker Faustino Dy III.
Ayon kay Marcos, layon ng HB 8702 na akda rin din Dy ay ang consolidated version ng pitong iba pang kahalintulad na mungkahi.
Para kay Marcos, napapanahon nang itaas ang antas ng mandatory retirement age ng mga pulis upang maisulong ang ilang mahahalagang layunin.
“Increasing the retirement age allows the PNP to maximize the government’s investment in training and professionalizing its officers,” paliwanag pa ni Marcos.
“Also, by retaining experienced personnel for an additional year, the organization benefits from their specialized expertise and institutional knowledge. This continuity is vital for the leadership and stability of law enforcement operations,” dugtong niya.
Sa pamamagitan aniya ng naturang hakbang, masisiguro ang pagpapatuloy ng kaukulang programa sa lahat ng uniformed services sa bansa.
Kamakailan lang nang lagdaan ng Pangulo ang Republic Act 11939, na nagtaas sa compulsory retirement age na 57 (mula sa dating 56) sa hanay naman ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“This measure aligns the retirement framework of the PNP with that of the AFP, acknowledging their parallel roles in safeguarding national security and public order,” ani Marcos.
“By extending the retirement age, the PNP can leverage the knowledge, training, and field experience of its senior officers. This proposal will strengthen the PNP’s institutional capacity and promote efficiency and continuity of leadership in law enforcement,” punto niya.
