SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

HB.No.__3385

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE MARK A. VILLAR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill is pattemed after one of the newest but most effective laws of the
United States, Public Law 111-274 (October 13, 2010). And as it is being introduced
in this legislation, Plain Writing Act calls for the use of simple, concise, easily
understandable words and phrases in all government documents. The intention is to
avoid jargon, redundancy, ambiguity and obscurity”. This is to help also the citizens
in availing government services.

In the United States where it was enacted in 2010, remarkable benefits have
been monitored:

1. There is a marked improvement in the public understanding of government
communications and requirements;

It saves money and increases efficiency;

It reduces the need for public clarification and reduces resources spent for

enforcement;

It simplifies government forms and applications; and

Itreduces the number of errors and the time and effort required to fix them

On

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Plain Writing system in public service can be an efficient tool in public
administration in the Philippines. It may shorten transactions in most government
offices, it can lessen too bureaucratic red tapes, it can streamline administrative
procedures, among others.

With the sage advice of a wise man that "the chief virtue that language can

have is clearness and nothing detracts from it so much as the use of unfamiliar
words.” The early approval of the Plain Writing in Philippine Public Service Act is

earnestly requested.
po ‘
a

MARK A. VILLAR’

* Greek philosopher Hippocrates


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B NO. 3385

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE MARK A. VILLAR

AN ACT
TO ENHANCE CITIZENS’ ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AND
SERVICES BY ESTABLISHING A SYSTEM IN WHICH GOVERNMENT
DOCUMENTS ISSUED TO THE PUBLIC MUST BE WRITTEN CLEARLY,
ORDAINING FOR THE PURPOSE A PLAIN WRITING FOR PHILIPPINE PUBLIC
SERVICE ACT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be cited as the "Plain Writing for
Public Service Act of 2013".

SEC. 2. Objective. The purpose of this Act is to improve the effectiveness
and accountability of government agencies to the public by promoting clear
government communication that the citizens can understand and use

SEC. 3. Plain Writing in Public Service. All government agencies are
hereby mandated to adopt Plain Writing in all their communications and in the
implementation of their basic functions, mandates and services.

"Plain Writing" shall refer to writing and preparations thereof that are clear,
concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject
or field and intended audience or constituents. Plain writing shall be used in the
following documents but not limited to:

3.1. information about any government benefit or services;

3.2. Documents necessary for obtaining any government benefit or service or
filing taxes;

3.3. Documents that explain to the public how to comply with a requirement
the government agencies administer, enforce and provide

Plain writing shall also cover letters, forms, instructions, notices and
publications.


The term "govemment agencies" as used in this Act shall mean all
government departments, bureaus, divisions, attached agencies and government
owned-and- controlled corporations.

SEC. 4. The Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service Commission shall
be the main agency tasked to oversee the implementation of this Act. Initially, sixty
(60) days after the approval of this Act, the CSC shall issue a guideline detailing the
following:

A. Preparation for Implementation of Plain Writing Requirements.

1. All government agencies must designate one (1) or more senior officials
within the agency to be the point-person for the implementation of this Act;
Communicate the requirements of this Act to the employees of the agency;
Train employees of government agencies in Plain Writing;

Establish a process for overseeing the compliance of the agencies with the
requirements of this Act.

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B. Websites. All government agencies are mandated to adopt a system of
Plain Writing in their websites or relevant portals.

The CSC shall create a Section on Plain Writing which shall develop and
issue guidance or guidelines in implementing the requirements of this Act. The said
Section shall be allowed to consult and partner with a relevant academic institution
and or organization in the development and issuance of relevant guidance or
guidelines.

The CSC shall in consultation with other government offices and relevant
organizations shall issue the implementing rules and regulations to implement the
provisions of this Act

SEC. 5. All government agencies are mandated to report and publish in their
respective websites or publications a report on their agency's compliance with the
requirements of this Act.

SEC. 6. The amount of Ten Million Pesos (Php10,000,000.00) is appropriated
initially for the Plain Writing Section of the Civil Service Commission. Every year, the
CSC shall be allotted the needed appropriation to implement the provisions of this
Act.

SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved,