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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by REP. JAVIER MIGUEL L. BENITEZ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippine government implements numerous financial assistance programs 
for individuals and families in distress, particularly for urgent medical care, 
burial assistance, or other crisis-related support. However, many Filipinos 
struggle to access these programs due to inconsistent, excessive, or unclear 
documentary requirements imposed by national agencies and local government 
units. 
A 2024 study analyzing ten years of Commission on Audit Annual Audit Reports 
found that documentation and compliance gaps are among the most persistent 
weaknesses in Philippine public procurement. These include delayed document 
submission, unclear or duplicative requirements, and audit findings resulting 
from procedural inconsistencies.1  
Despite the intent of Republic Act No. 11032 (2018), or the Ease of Doing Business 
and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, many agencies continue 
to impose multiple documentary requirements that are not explicitly mandated 
by law. Section 5 of the Act obligates all government offices to review and 
reengineer their systems to eliminate redundant steps and burdensome 
requirements in service delivery.2 
1 Imasa, D.A. and Campos, K. (December 2024). Issues in Philippine Public Procurement: A 
content analysis of commission on audit annual audit reports, Issues in Philippine Public 
Procurement: A Content Analysis of Commission on Audit Annual Audit Reports. 
https://journal2.unusa.ac.id/index.php/CDJ/article/view/6577 (Date last accessed: July 28, 
2025). 
2 Republic Act No. 11032, “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery 
Act.” 
July 31, 2025
12:00 pm
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This bill seeks to correct these institutional barriers by simplifying and 
standardizing the core documentary requirements for accessing financial 
assistance from agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (“DSWD”), the Department of Health (“DOH”), and PhilHealth. It 
limits the required documents to: (1) A valid government-issued ID, (2) a billing 
statement from the service provider, and (3) a referral from the local social welfare 
office. Applications submitted through an authorized relative or legal guardian 
are allowed with safeguards to prevent abuse. 
To further streamline the services, the bill requires agencies to process assistance 
within three working days upon complete submission. It also mandates 
coordination with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (“ARTA”) to ensure compliance, 
expedite grievance resolution, and address complaints involving unnecessary 
requirements or undue delays. 
This bill: 
i.
reinforces the State’s duty under Section 11, Article XIII of the 1987
Constitution to ensure that social services are delivered in a manner
that is accessible, responsive, and equitable.3 It also enhances the
implementation of Section 5 of Republic Act No. 11032 (2018),4 and
supports the Philippines’ commitment to Sustainable Development
Goal 12.7, which focuses on promoting sustainable public procurement
systems in accordance with national priorities;5 and
ii.
is filed as a counterpart to a Senate bill introduced by Senator Erwin
Tulfo, and is consistent with similar bills filed in the 20th Congress. Its
filing affirms a shared legislative policy across both chambers of
Congress to simplify and standardize the documentary requirements
for accessing government financial assistance.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
JAVIER MIGUEL L. BENITEZ 
3 1987 Constitution, Article XIII, Section 11. 
4 Republic Act No. 11032, “Eases of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery 
Act of 2018”, Section 5. 
5 Sustainable Development Goals (12.7). 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by REP. JAVIER MIGUEL L. BENITEZ 
AN ACT SIMPLIFYING THE DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS FOR 
ACCESSING GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND FOR 
OTHER 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 “Simplified 
Government Aid Access Act.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to promote the 
general welfare of Filipino people by ensuring that individuals and families 
experiencing difficult situations are provided with timely and accessible financial 
assistance. Towards this end, the government shall adopt measures to remove 
excessive documentary requirements and streamline procedures for availing aid 
from government agencies. 
SEC. 3. Scope and Coverage. – This Act shall apply to all national and local 
government agencies and instrumentalities, including but not limited to the 
DSWD, DOH, and PhilHealth, which provide medical, burial, and similar forms 
of financial assistance. 
SEC. 4. Standardized Minimum Requirements. – To avail of immediate 
financial assistance, beneficiaries in need shall only be required to submit the 
following documents: 
i.
Valid government-issued identification card (ID);
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ii. 
Billing statement from the hospital, clinic, funeral parlor, or related 
entities; and 
 
iii. 
Referral or endorsement letter issued by the City or Municipal 
Social Welfare and Development Office or a duly authorized local social worker. 
 
In cases where the request for assistance is made through a representative, 
such representative shall present an authorization letter duly signed by the 
beneficiary, along with a valid government-issued ID of both the beneficiary and 
the representative. The authorized representative must be a relative of the 
beneficiary within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity, or a legal 
guardian. Provided, that no individual shall act as a representative for more than 
two (2) beneficiaries to whom they are not related. 
 
SEC. 5. Streamlined Processing. – All government agencies concerned 
shall process requests for assistance within three (3) working days upon 
submission of complete requirements under Section 4 of this Act. 
 
 
SEC. 6. Coordination with the ARTA. – The DSWD and all implementing 
agencies shall coordinate with the ARTA to ensure full compliance with 
Republic Act No. 9485, as amended, also known as the Anti-Red Tape Act. They 
shall likewise work with ARTA to address complaints involving undue 
delays, excessive documentary requirements, or any form of non-compliance 
with the provisions of this Act. 
 
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within thirty (30) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the DSWD, in coordination with ARTA, DOH, 
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, PhilHealth, and the Department of the 
Interior and Local Government, shall promulgate the implementing rules and 
regulations. 
 
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. – Should any provision or part of this Act be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions and parts hereof, 
insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and 
effect. 
 
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, proclamations, rules 
and regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are 
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
 


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