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House debates on early retirement for cancer-stricken gov’t workers
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Posted on Mar 10 2000
The House of Representatives held off shelving of a bill seeking to provide relief to government employees afflicted with cancer after two of its proponents questioned a committee report rejecting the proposal.
House Bill 12-79, sponsored by Rep. Jesus T. Attao, amends existing law allowing retirement for person suffering with the disease after securing certification from at least two physicians.
The legislation will give him an option to retire under the disability provisions and receive retirement benefits or to continue his employment in the government.
But the Committee of Health and Education noted that while the bill’s intent is good, there is existing law that provide any government employee with a medical disability the necessary procedure to follow to retire from work due to inability to meet the demands of the job.
Mr. Attao and Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider objected to its recommendation to scrap the measure during yesterday’s session, saying that those undergoing chemotherapy and cancer treatment should be given some leeway by the government.
Since some are their family’s breadwinner, it would be a “tremendous distress” physically and economically without this benefit for cancer-stricken employees, according to Mr. Hofschneider.
He also said that medical leave granted to an employee is not enough time for those undergoing cancer treatment which could add on to the task at work.
Rep. Brigida Ichihara, vice chair of the committee, stressed the measure must be specific, noting that others afflicted with life-threatening diseases should also be included.
House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial, however, said the bill would not be able to help cancer-stricken persons because it would take time for them to receive their retirement benefits. (BS)
