Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

~~ 3804

House Bill No. a

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO
AND JOCELYN P. TULFO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 11291, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of the Poor, provides that it is
the policy of the State to "uplift the standard of living and quality of life of the poor and provide them
with sustained opportunities for growth and development" and to invest in "anti-poverty progranis to
enable the poor to fully participate in the country’s growth and development."

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, in 2021, 23.7 percent of the population are
considered poor. Thus, itis paramount that governmental aid is provided to these individuals
to assist them in uplifting their standard of living. Towards these goals, this bill seeks to level
the playing field and ease any financial hurdles for the poor to seek gainful employment and
contribute in the economic development of the country. After all, the strength of a nation relies
ona strong and robust workforce.

By extending financial assistance to qualified poor job applicants in relation to government
clearances and certificates, they are given the opportunity to reallocate their resources to other

‘expenses such as transportation, clothing, documentation and other basic needs.

In view of the foregoing, the urgent passing of this bill is earnestly sought.

Sat

RALPHMENDEL P. TULFO JOCELYNY/TUYFO
‘Representative Reptesehtatin
2el District of Quezon City ACT-CIS Partylist


28
29
30
31
32
33

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGR)
First Regular Session

House BillNo,_ 3804

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO
AND JOCELYN P. TULFO

AN ACT PROVIDING POOR JOB APPLICANTS A TWENTY PERCENT (20%)
DISCOUNT IN THE PAYMENT OF FEES AND CHARGES FOR CERTIFICATES,
CLEARANCES AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FOR EMPLOYMENT PURPOSES

Be It enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Poor Job Applicants Discount Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to uplift the standard of living and
quality of life of the poor and promote their opportunity to obtain decent and productive
employment. To attain this purpose, the State shall extend financial assistance for poor job
applicants in the payment of fees and charges for obtaining certificates and clearances for
employment purposes

SEC. 3. Poor Job Applicant. — As used in this Act, a poor job applicant refers to an individual
who is seeking gainful employment and whose income falls below the poverty threshold as
defined by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA); or who cannot
afford, ina sustained manner, mininum basic needs of food, health, education, housing, or other
essential amenities of life, as defined under Republic Act No. 8425, otherwise known as the
"Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act;* or is a member of any qualified household-
beneficiary under Republic Act No. 11310, otherwise known as the “Pantawid Pamilyang,
Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act.”

SEC. 4, Provision of Twenty Percent (20%) Discount. - Poor job applicants, whether for local or
foreign employment, shall be granted a twenty percent (20%) discount in the payment of fees
and charges for obtaining the following clearances and certificates required for employment
purposes:

(a) Clearance from the barangay where the applicant resides;

(b) Clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI);

(c) Clearance from the Philippine National Police (PNP);


(d) Medical certificate from any hospital licensed by the Department of Health
(DOH);

(e) Certificate of live birth or marriage from the Philippine Statistics Authority
(PSA);

(Q) Transcript of Records from educational institutions;
(g) Certificate of good moral character from educational institutions; and

(h) Other documentary requirements issued by government agencies that may be
required by employers from poor job applicants.

No poor job applicant may avail of the privileges under this Act from each government
agency more than three (3) times in a calendar year.

SEC. 5. Penalties. - Any public officer or employee or any private individual who refuses or
fails to provide the benefit granted to the poor job applicant in violation of Section 4 of this
Act shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not less than Five Thousand Pesos
(Php5,000.00) but not more than Twenty Thousand Pesos (Php20,000.00), without prejudice
to any liability for violation of any other existing laws or rules and regulations.

SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The funding for the provisions under this Act shall be sourced from
the existing appropriations of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), Department
of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),
Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), DOH, NBI, PNP, PSA, in relation to
the implementation of Republic Act No. 11291, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta of the
Poor,” as may be applicable.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations, - The NAPC shall, in consultation with the
government departments and agencies enumerated above, promulgate rules and regulations
to carry out the provisions of this Act within three (3) months from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared to be
unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force or effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof
which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approv