AFP fast-tracks pension cleaning program

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 25): AFP fast-tracks pension cleaning program
 
In line with its efforts to rid pensioner ranks of bogus claimants, the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday announced it is fast-tracking its massive pension cleansing.

This will be done through revalidation of its pensioners’ data to avoid further delay in the release of their monthly financial benefits.

Currently, out of the 122,472 total pensioners on the June 2013 payroll, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Pension and Gratuity Management Center identified 15,775 who may not meet the requirements set by Dept. of Budget Management due to the varying reasons such as doubtful, incomplete or no data at all.

As of July 19, out of 15,775 pensioners with incomplete data, the AFPPGMC has validated 12,203 pensioners with 5,988 already restored in pension payroll or in the process of pension restoration.

For the remaining tagged pensioners whose monthly pensions are still withheld, a proof-of-life and submission of filled-up Pensioner’s Update Form is needed for their account to be revalidated and further restored.

As of July 19, there are still (324) pensioners left with incomplete records, which AFPPGMC is continuously researching on.

Furthermore the AFPPGMC has extended its research through coordination with the Non-Current Records, Office of the Adjutant General and the Retirement and Separation Benefits System in order to complete the DBM required information.

AFPPGMC chief Col. Enrique C. Reyes said: “The AFPPGMC is taking vigorous and painstaking efforts to fast-track the revalidation of our list of pensioners.

"In coordination with the AFP Finance Center, Office of the Adjutant General and AFP Management and Fiscal Office, we have been conducting AFP Pensioners’ Data cross-matching and evaluation of records from the AFP Financial Management Information System and AFP PenMIS databases.

"This is being undertaken in order to fast-track the information gathering and validation of our pensioners’ records and eventually come up with a revalidated AFP Pensioners List.” .

The AFP assured the retirees the military is continuously undertaking measures to ensure the integrity of the military pension payroll and avoid ghost pensioners.

A system has also been established to verify the authenticity of documents being submitted by retiring AFP personnel and their legal beneficiaries.

The AFP leadership on the other hand is calling on all of its pensioners to submit their accomplished annual Pensioner’s Update Form by appearing in person or via the postal services and submitting a proof of life to prevent similar complications in the future.

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