Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. ______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
AN ACT PROHIBITING GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND AGENCIES FROM
DENYING CITIZENS ACCESS TO ENTER SAID OFFICES ON THE BASIS OF
ATTIRE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The State values the dignity of every human, person and guarantees full respect for human
rights.1 Under the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, “everyone has the right of equal
access to public service in his country.”2 Nobody deserves to be unjustly barred from
accessing public service.
However, it is very common for government offices to impose dress codes on citizens. From
prohibiting slippers and tank tops to mandating shoes, pants, and polo shirts, these
requirements can create an added barrier for citizens who need to access public services.
Unfortunately, not everyone has equal access to the clothing needed to comply with these
dress codes. This puts an unnecessary burden on our marginalized sectors as they are forced
to comply with strict dress codes to avail public services they deserve. Denying entry to
public offices based on clothing goes against our State's commitment to providing equal
access to all citizens.
The state should work towards a system that removes these arbitary dress codes, so every
person can access the public services they need without discrimination or exclusion. With the
enactment of this bill, we can finally break down the barriers that these dress restrictions
create. Citizens will be free to attend meetings and access frontline services without worrying
about their clothing, and no one will be turned away due to a dress code violation. This is an
essential step towards creating a more equitable, fair and inclusive society.
HON. MA. ALANA SAMANTHA TALIÑO SANTOS
Representative, 3rd District of Cotabato
1 Sec 2, 1987 Constitution
2 Sec 2, Universal Declaration on Human Rights
April 20, 2023
8:38 am
7884


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. ______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
AN ACT PROHIBITING GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND AGENCIES FROM
DENYING CITIZENS ACCESS TO ENTER SAID OFFICES ON THE BASIS OF
ATTIRE
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 “Open Door Policy Act of
2023.”
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. The State recognizes the right of all citizens to equal
access to public service in the country, without discrimination. The Constitution guarantees
equal protection for every Filipino and prohibits discrimination in the enjoyment of rights.
The fundamental law declares that the State values the dignity of every human person and
that Congress is mandated to give highest priority to the enactment of measures that protect
and enhance the right of all people to human dignity, reduce social and economic inequalities
and remove cultural inequities.
Section 3. Coverage. This Act shall apply to all government offices and agencies
including the national government and all its agencies, departments, bureaus, offices and
instrumentalities, constitutional commissions and constitutionally mandated bodies, local
governments and all their agencies including legislative bodies, government-owned or
controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, and all offices in the Congress of the
Philippines that provide frontline services and/or hold meetings.
This Act shall not cover dress codes prescribed for public officials and employees in
the course of their duties in their respective government offices or agencies
Section 4. Definition of Terms. For the purposes of this Act, the following terms shall
be defined as follows:
a.
Frontline Service refers to the process or transaction between citizens as clients
and government offices or agencies involving applications for any privilege, right,
permit, reward, license, concession, or for any modification, renewal, or extension
of the enumerated applications and/or requests which are acted upon in the
ordinary course of business of the office or agency concerned.
b. Simple Transactions refer to requests or applications submitted by clients of a
government office or agency which only require ministerial actions on the part of
7884


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. ______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
the public officer of employee, or that which present only inconsequential issues
for the resolution by an officer of employee of said government office.
c.
Public Meetings refers to meetings, conferences, trainings, hearings, or sessions
conducted by any government office or agency, including legislative bodies, that
are open to the public, where citizens act as guests, observers, participants, clients
or consultants, whichever the case may be.
d. Strict Dress Code refers to rules and regulations that prescribe particular clothing
and footwear that unnecessarily hinder citizens from accessing frontline services
and/or attending public meetings in all government offices as described under
Section 3 of this Act.
e.
Marginalized Sector refers to the basic, disadvantaged, or vulnerable persons or
groups who are mostly living in poverty and have little or no access to land and
other resources, basic social and economic services such as health care, education,
water and sanitation, employment and livelihood opportunities, housing, social
security, physical infrastructure, and the justice system.
Section 5. Prohibition of Strict Dress Codes in Frontline Service Offices. – All
government institutions with frontline service offices shall be barred from implementing
strict dress codes that prevent citizens, especially those belonging to marginalized sectors,
from making inquiries or undertaking simple transactions. The said institutions shall not be
allowed to prescribe types of clothing and footwear that can or cannot be worn by citizens
whom they are serving in their respective frontline services. The said institutions cannot deny
entry to any citizen on the basis of any dress code; Provided, That the attire of the citizen
acting as client is not integral or essential to the transactions being undertaken.
Section 6. Prohibition of Strict Dress Codes in Private or Public Meetings. – All
government institutions, including legislative bodies, shall be barred from implementing strict
dress codes that prevent citizens, especially those belonging from attending private or public
meetings as guests, observers, participants, clients or consultants, whichever the case may be.
Section 7. Administrative Liability. - Failure to comply with this Act shall be
tantamount to gross neglect of duty and shall constitute grounds for administrative and
disciplinary sanctions against any public officer or employee who deliberately and knowingly
implements a strict dress code which shall prevent any citizen from accessing government
frontline services or attending public meetings.
Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Civil Service Commission
(CSC), in consultation with the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), the
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and the National Anti-Poverty


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. ______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
Commission (NAPC), shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations within ninety (90)
days from the effectivity of this Act.
Section 9. Separability Clause. – If any section or part of this Act is held
unconstitutional, no other section or provision shall be affected.
Section 10. Repealing Clause. – All provisions of existing laws, presidential decrees
or issuances, executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.
Section 11. Effectivity. – 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
Approved,