Manila, Philippines (PNA) — Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has put to task the heads of government offices to ensure their employees receive the retirement benefits due them within 15 days from retirement under a proposed bill he is pushing in the Senate.

In Senate Bill 251, Senator Trillanes is proposing to hold the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and heads of departments and agencies administratively liable if they fail to release the retirement benefits and gratuities of an employee under compulsory or optional retirement.

“The GSIS claims that it can process applications for retirement benefits within five days,” Trillanes pointed out. “However, the delay in the release of such benefits is still a common complaint.”

If the proposed legislation is approved, Trillanes said, the head of the government office who fails to comply with the 15-day period for the release of the retirement benefits will be suspended for six months without pay.

“It shall be the responsibility of the head or chief of the government office concerned to ensure this (release of benefits), otherwise he or she shall be held liable,” the detained senator explained.

Trillanes has been pushing for a package of reforms to improve the plight of private and government employees.