President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Proclamation No. 1020 last September 10, officially declaring the second week of September of every year as “National Pensioners’ Week.”
The proclamation recognizes the contributions of pensioners and ensures their welfare through adequate social protection. It designates the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS) as lead implementing agencies.
GSIS Officer in Charge Juliet Bautista welcomed the proclamation, saying: “This recognition institutionalizes what GSIS has long believed: that our pensioners deserve not just our gratitude but sustained support as they have dedicated years of service to the nation, With the National Pensioners’ Week, we have a permanent platform to celebrate their contributions while expanding programs and services that truly matter to them.”
For his part, SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph De Claro remarked: “We are so blessed that the President has signed the executive order declaring the second week of September as National Pensioners’ Week. Rest assured that together with GSIS, we will always work to improve your benefits,” SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph De Claro said.
In his directive, President Marcos emphasized the importance of honoring pensioners’ contributions and raising awareness on social security protection.
Even before the proclamation, GSIS and SSS had already mounted a joint National Pensioners’ Day at the GSIS Head Office in Pasay City, attended by more than 200 pensioners from various organizations. The event featured free wellness checkups, pampering services, a film showing, distribution of tokens, and the awarding of land titles to pensioners, highlighting the proactive efforts of the two agencies to bring services closer to retirees.
By institutionalizing National Pensioners’ Week, the government affirms its commitment to continuously uplift the welfare of pensioners.
GSIS, in particular, has already carried forward reforms such as the removal of the survivorship pension cap, abolition of the cohabitation rule as a ground for suspension of survivorship pension, and easing of rules for the Christmas Cash Gift, alongside innovative services through the GSIS Touch app.
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