Press Release
January 15, 2025

Cayetano calls for ways to maximize expertise of retired DFA personnel

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday urged lawmakers to explore how retired Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) personnel could continue serving the country, emphasizing that their vast experience in diplomacy and foreign relations could greatly enhance the nation's global standing.

Speaking during the final reading of Senate Bill No. 2863 on January 14, which seeks to provide pension differentials to DFA personnel aged 65 and older with at least 15 years of service, Cayetano called attention to the untapped potential of these retired diplomats.

"Ambassadors are assigned all around the world, meeting scientists, biggest businessmen, diplomats, presidents, kings, poorest of the poor, richest of the rich," he said in his manifestation.

"Pag-retire nila, many of them still want to help our country. Pero ano ang venue?" he continued.

While the bill addresses the financial needs of the retirees, Cayetano stressed that it is just one part of a larger solution.

"While this bill is much deserved, and is needed, I think it's just one piece of the puzzle," he said.

Cayetano proposed that lawmakers create legislative avenues, such as think tanks, to harness the wealth of knowledge and experience that retired DFA personnel possess.

"I hope, after this pension law, this august Chamber, with the other half (House of Representatives), can come up with something to fully utilize the expertise of DFA retirees and enhance the image of the country with their help," he said.

"Nandiyan na sila, waiting lang kung ano ang susunod na yugto para sa ating mahal na bansa," he added.

Cayetano, who served as Foreign Affairs Secretary from 2017 to 2018, nonetheless thanked his fellow senators for their support in passing the pension bill.


Cayetano: Gamitin ang galing ng DFA retirees sa pagpapaunlad ng imahe ng Pilipinas

Hinimok ni Senador Alan Peter Cayetano nitong Martes ang mga kapwa mambabatas na humanap ng paraan para magamit ang galing at kadalubsahaan ng mga retiradong tauhan ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) sa patuloy na pagpapaganda ng imahe ng bansa.

Sa plenary session nitong January 14 kung saan pumasa sa Final Reading ang Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2863, binigyang diin ni Cayetano ang lawak ng karanasan ng mga retiradong diplomat.

Giit niya, kailangang mabigyan sila ng "avenue" para makapaglingkod pa at maipahiram sa bansa ang kanilang taglay na expertise kahit wala na sila sa DFA.

"Ambassadors are assigned all around the world, meeting scientists, biggest businessmen, diplomats, presidents, kings, poorest of the poor, richest of the rich," pahayag ni Cayetano sa kanyang maikling manifestation.

"Pag-retire nila, many of them still want to help our country. Pero ano ang venue?" pagpapatuloy niya.

Pumasa sa Final Reading ang SBN 2863, na naglalayong pagkalooban ng differential pension ang mga opisyal at personnel ng DFA na edad 65 pataas at nakapaglingkod sa ahensya nang hindi bababa sa 15 taon.

Bagama't suportado niya ang panukalang batas, igiiit ni Cayetano na hindi dapat doon natatapos ang ugnayan ng gobyerno at ng DFA retirees.

"While this bill is much deserved, and is needed, I think it's just one piece of the puzzle," pahayag niya.

Mungkahi ng senador, magpasa ng batas ang Kongreso na magbibigay ng lugar sa mga retiradong DFA personnel na magamit ang kanilang kaalaman at karanasan sa foreign relations, gaya ng isang think tank.

"I hope, after this pension law, this august Chamber, with the other half (House of Representatives), can come up with something to fully utilize the expertise of DFA retirees and enhance the image of the country with their help," wika niya.

"Nandiyan na sila, waiting lang kung ano ang susunod na yugto para sa ating mahal na bansa," dagdag niya.

Gayunpaman, pinasalamatan ni Cayetano, na nagsilbi bilang Foreign Affairs Secretary mula 2017 hanggang 2018, ang kanyang mga kapwa senador sa kanilang suporta sa pagpasa ng pension bill.

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