Plaint of a retired schoolteacher on ‘token’ pension

I am writing after being reminded by Inquirer columnist Ramon Farolan’s column (“Random thoughts,” Opinion, 11/24/14) about something that needs to be done for retired military personnel.

While manning our store, I had a conversation with an 87-year-old female former schoolteacher. Bent but still able to walk briskly, she complained about the amount of pension she was receiving. “I am receiving a token from the government, a tribute for my long service as a public schoolteacher,” she said.

I can’t remember how much her monthly pension was; but what was clear was her wish: “Sana ang basehan ng pag-compute ng pension namin (Would that the basis of computing our pension) is not the base pay we are receiving before we retired. The value of that money is no longer relevant with today’s cost of living. Kokonti lang naman na kami (Anyway, there are just a few of us). It is not an exaggeration to say that our pension pay is barely enough for our medications. Pero wala naman akong magagawa kung ganito na lang talaga ang trato sa aming iginapang na serbisyo (But there’s nothing I can do if that’s as much they appreciate the toils and sacrifices we dedicated to public service).” She bought two eggs.

I wish not to add anything more, I just want to relay her wish to any listening ear like General Farolan, who might want to write about it, too.

—RENATO C. DE LEON,

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