PERA contributions reach P330 M — BSP

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said contributions to the Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) reached P329.55 million in 2022, up 30 percent from P253.35 million in 2021.

developed in 2020 in response to the restrictions and safety concerns caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, OutSystems said.

“Currently, GSIS is working on a payment portal integration for loan payments with one of its partner banks.

The GSIS Mobile Touch App will also be further improved by adding a facial recognition feature, payment portal or integration with more financial institutions like banks for online payment of loans; integration with the Philippine ID System

GSIS/PAGE 7

As of end-December last year, PERA registered 5,100 contributors, 16 percent higher from 4,382 in 2021. PERA is the government’s voluntary retirement savings program.

The BSP said on Tuesday, Feb. 14, that of the total P329.55 million, about P223.71 million were investments by 3,600 employed individuals.

Meanwhile, 785 selfemployed individuals contributed P45.25 million while 721 overseas Filipino workers invested P60.58 million.

The BSP reiterated that PERA is a “superior

Inculcating Good Manners in Schools

By: MARILOU D. LICAYAN Teacher 3 Antero U. Roa Central School District-7 Ozamiz City Division

Good manners are primarily learned at home; proper guidance from home elders namely: the grandparents, aunts, uncles and parents as well. For some reasons and contributing factors, there are school children who lack proper etiquette and decency. Indeed, actions are visible enough for these learners are distractors in the class. They love violence and bullying thus, as agent of change in the institution, teachers should include inculcating good manners in the daily teaching. Moreover, a school has its interdisciplinary committee to look after the welfare of disturbed individuals. All schools have its prefect of discipline and guidance counselors. But, it is the teacher inside a classroom who holds classes oftentimes are more responsible for each learner. Though, it is unfair for the teacher’s part but, it is in reality that teachers in schools are second parents. retirement savings option” because of the tax benefits and tax exemptions on earnings from PERA investments.

Instilling good manners has been one of primary concerns of teachers. Schools are the best places in doing it. Some of the most effective methods of developing good manners in school are modeling, curriculum use and putting it into practice, in a way that learners will b e able to grasp what is right and what is wrong.

Inculcating good manners in schools is useful. It can help learners understand that doing right all the time is the best.

It offers a five percent tax credit on the PERA contribution that can be used to pay for national income tax liabilities and a tax-free distribution on qualified withdrawal of PERA investments, said the BSP.

Anyone with a Tax Identification Number can be a PERA contributor. An individual can contribute up to P100,000 while overseas Filipinos can participate by as much as P200,000 annually. By the time the contributor reaches 55 years old and have invested in PERA for at least five years, they can redeem the PERA investment taxfree.

Income earned from PERA investments is exempted from final withholding, capital gains and regular income tax.

PERA contributors are also entitled to a five percent tax credit on contributions while qualified PERA withdrawals are not subject to taxes. In addition, in case of the death of the contributor, the PERA asset will be released to the beneficiaries without paying estate tax.

In September 2020, the BSP implemented a digitized version of the PERA to encourage more investments. The digital PERA made it more convenient and efficient by enabling Filipinos to open PERA accounts, choose among different accredited PERA products, and settle PERA transactions electronically using their mobile phones or other digital

Fostering Healthy Classroom Environment

By: MAIDY S. OBAD Teacher

3

Antero U. Roa Central School District-7 Ozamiz City Division

School rooms or classrooms for any learning spaces are called class homes. These are learning zones for young people; an area where in learner’s dream and ambition takes place. This claim is correct because students are engaged in school for at least eight hours per day, five days per week thus, safety is the most essential aspect to be considered all the times.

A healthy classroom environment helps learners and teachers to be at their best, physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. There are indications of a healthy and safe classroom; these are the absence of violence, bullying, harassment and others.

In a classroom setting, everyone needs to feel safe and protected. A positive classroom climate accepts everybody as part of the whole; acceptance of the learners’ diversity; where individual differences should always given importance and considerations. Indeed, interests, skills, needs and abilities differ from one learner to another.

Teachers must foster a positive school environment that not only promotes academic excellence but also creates a warm, safe, and nurturing environment. A sense of belonging and acceptance can keep these young people away from danger.

Whatever the situation is, and whoever our learners are; cultivating a healthy and safe classroom environment promotes learning in a better way.

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True Friends Say What's True

Think a minute… The former U.S. president, Harry Truman, had a reputation for being an honest and loyal friend no matter what the cost. One of Truman’s friends, Tom Pendergast, helped Truman win his first election to public office as a county judge. However, Truman did not always agree with his friend’s crooked way of doing business. One time a group of dishonest businessmen wanted Pendergast to influence his friend Judge Truman, but Pendergast replied: “Truman always stays true to his honest character and principles. There is nothing I can do to tempt or make Truman cheat or do anything dishonest.”

Eventually Pendergast was put in jail for the crime of tax evasion. Years later when Truman was vice-president of the U.S., Pendergast died. Yet Truman still flew across America for the funeral. He said: “Even though we disagreed, we were still friends.”

True friendship is not based on what a friend does for you, but on what he means to you, even if you disagree with him and disapprove of