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Republic of the Philippines 1ME: fk

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No 316

Introduced by Representatives
GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO and DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT TO BE PROVIDED BY THE
SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT
NO.8282ENTITLED “AN ACT FURTHER STRENGTHENING THE SOCIAL
SECURITY SYSTEM THEREBY AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE, REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 1161, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE SOCIAL SECURITY LAW”
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The contribution of Overseas Filipino Workers in the national economy cannot be
overemphasized. Last year alone, the OFW remittance amounted to $23.8B.
Admittedly, OFWs continue to provide a boost to our economy amidst uncertainty in the
world economy. Apart from their fiscal contribution, returning OFWs bring with them the
skills and expertise from other countries that can be applied to improve our local
industries and businesses.

Unfortunately, OFWs after spending productive years in abroad do not have
many options when they return. Thus, they either become entrepreneurs if they have
substantial savings or worse, they end up being unemployed. With this unfortunate
scenario, OFWs must be given monetary assistance during these difficult times.

Even workers in the Philippines face the same predicament. Unemployment rate
continue to account for a substantial part of the population. The Social Security System
must come to the aid of unemployed members in this time of need

This Bill seeks to provide unemployment benefit to members who are
unemployed. After being a member of the SSS for at least seven (7) years and have
regularly paid monthly contributions for the same period, a member is eligible to receive
unemployment benefits. This will address the pressing financial difficulty that
unemployment brings and will enable a member to look for alternative options while
looking for gainful employment. This Bill will provide additional benefit and expand the
protection tour workers who are the backbone of our economy

GLORIA a ARROYO DIOSDADO'MACAPAGAL ARROYO
2nd District, Pampanga 2" District, Camarines Sur


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BilNS.___—« 3.16

Introduced by Representatives
GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO and DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT TO BE PROVIDED BY THE
SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT
NO.8282ENTITLED “AN ACT FURTHER STRENGTHENING THE SOCIAL
SECURITY SYSTEM THEREBY AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE, REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 1161, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE SOCIAL SECURITY LAW”
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No.1161, as amended by Republic Act No.
8282, otherwise known as the ‘Social Security Law’, is hereby further amended to read
as follows:

“Section 2. Declaration of Policy — It is the policy of the Republic of the
Philippines to establish, develop, promote and perfect a sound and viable tax-
exempt social security service suitable to the needs of the people throughout the
Philippines which shall promote social justice and provide meaningful protection
to members and their beneficiaries against the hazards of disability, sickness,
maternity, old age, death and other contingencies resulting in loss of income or
financial burden. Towards this end, the State shall endeavour to extend social
security protection to workers INCLUDING OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
and their beneficiaries.

Sec. 2. Sections 3 of Republic Act No. 1161, as amended by Republic Act 8282,
is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“Sec.3. Social Security System- )a) To carry out the purposes of this Act,
the Social Security System, hereinafter referred to as ‘SSS’, a corporate body,
with the principal place of business in Metro Manila, Philippines is hereby
created. The SSS shall be directed and controlled by a Social Security
Commission, hereinafter referred to as ‘Commission’, composed of the Secretary
of Labor and Employment or his duly designated undersecretary, the SSS
president and seven (7) appointive members, three (3) of whom shall represent
the workers’ group, at least one of whom shall be a woman AND ONE (1) TO
REPRESENT OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS; three (3), the employers’
group, at least one (1) of whom shall be a woman; and one (1), the general
Public whose representative shall have adequate knowledge and experience


regarding social security, to be appointed by the President of the Philippines. x x
xx"

Sec. 3. Section 9(¢) of Republic Act 1161, as amended by Republic Act 8282, is
hereby further amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 9. Coverage - (a) x x x

“(c) OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS recruited by foreign-based
employers for employment abroad may be covered by the SSS on a voluntary

basis.”

Sec. 4. A new Section 14-Bis hereby added after Section 14-A of Republic Act
No.8282 to read as follows:

“Section 14-A. Maternity Leave Benefit. x x x x”

‘Section

14-B. UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT. A MEMBER OF THE

SYSTEM SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A MONTHLY
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT UPON FULFILLMENT OF THE
FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

+

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT OF MONTHLY
CONTRIBUTION FOR AT LEAST SEVEN (7) YEARSPRIORTO.
THE CLAIM FOR UNEMPLOYMENT;

. UNEMPLOYED MEMBER MUST BEACTIVELY LOOKING

FOREMPLOYMENT FOR AT LEAST THIRTY (30) DAYS
PRIOR TO FILING OF THE CLAIM;

. CERTIFICATION FROM ANY CONCERNED GOVERNMENT

AGENCY THAT MEMBER HAS REQUESTED ASSISTANCE.
IN SEEKING EMPLOYMENT; AND.

. PROOF OF LAST SALARY RECEIVEDOR EMPLOYMENT

CONTRACT BEARING INCLUSIVE DATES OF
EMPLOYMENT.

AN OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKER SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE
A MONTHLY BENEFIT UPON FULFILLMENT OF THE FOLLOWING
CONDITIONS:

1.

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT OF MONTHLY
CONTRIBUTION FOR AT LEAST SEVEN (7)YEARS PRIOR
TO THE CLAIM FOR UNEMPLOYMENT;

RETURNING OFW MUST BE ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR
EMPLOYMENT FOR AT LEAST THIRTY (30) DAYS PRIOR TO
FILING OF THE CLAIM;

PROOF OF REGULAR DEPLOYMENT (POEA PROCESSING
OF CONTRACT), OVERSEAS WORKERS WELFARE
ADMINISTRATION MEMBERSHIP AND OTHER SIMILAR
DOCUMENTS;

THE MOST RECENT EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT BEARING
INCLUSIVE DATES OF EMPLOYMENT, PRIOR TO
UNEMPLOYMENT

. PROOF OF REMITTANCE OF THE OFW WHILE WORKING

OVERSEAS; AND


6. CERTIFICATION FROM ANY CONCERNED GOVERNMENT
AGENCY THAT MEMBERHAS REQUESTED ASSISTANCE IN
SEEKING EMPLOYMENT.

THE MONTHLY UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT SHALL BE GIVEN TO A
QUALIFIED MEMBER FOR A MAXIMUM PERIOD OF TWELVE(12)
MONTHS OR UNTIL UNEMPLOYMENT CEASES WHICHEVER COMES.
FIRST; PROVIDED THAT, THIS BENEFIT SHALL ONLY BE AVAILED
OF ONCE EVERY SEVEN (7) YEARS.

FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS, THE NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT SHALL AUTOMATICALLY APPROPRIATE ANNUALLY
AN AMOUNT EQUIVALENT TO TEN PERCENT OF ONCE PER CENT
(1%) OF THE TOTAL OFW REMITTANCE OF THE IMMEDIATE
PREDEDING YEAR.
Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. All laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations or
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified
or amended accordingly.

Sec. 6. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its publication
in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,