Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 2570

Introduced by HON. GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, HON. JUAN MIGUEL
M. ARROYO and HON. DIOSDADO M. ARROYO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The contribution of Overseas Filipino Workers in the national economy cannot be
overemphasized. Last year alone, the OFW remittance amounted to $17B, 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, OF Ws
must be given assistance when they return. Whether they are in between employment
contracts, terminated or looking for employment upon retirement, 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
the unemployment benefit. 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 to our workers who are the backbone of our economy.

HON. DIO: |. ARROYO.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 287 Q

Introduced by HON. GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, HON. JUAN MIGUEL
M. ARROYO and HON. DIOSDADO M. ARROYO

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT TO BE PROVIDED
BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO, 8282 ENTITLED “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
8282, otherwise known as the "Social Security Law", is hereby further amended to read
as follows:

“SEC. 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 endeavor to extend social security protection to
workers INCLUDING OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS and their
beneficiaries.

SEC. 2. Section 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 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
east 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 x x”


SEC. 3. Section 9(c) of Republic Act No. 1161, as amended by Republic Act
8282, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 9. Coverage. — (a) x xx

"(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-B is hereby added after Section 14-A of Republic Act
No. 8282 to read as follows:

"SEC. 14-A. Maternity Leave Benefit. x x x x”

“SEC. 14-B. UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT. A MEMBER OF
THE SYSTEM SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A
MONTHLY UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT UPON
FULFILLMENT OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

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

2. UNEMPLOYED MEMBER MUST BE
ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT
FOR AT LEAST THIRTY (30) DAYS PRIOR TO
FILING OF THE CLAIM;

a CERTIFICATION FROM ANY CONCERNED
GOVERNMENT AGENCY THAT MEMBER
HAS REQUESTED ASSISTANCE IN SEEKING
EMPLOYMENT; AND,

4, PROOF OF ST SALARY RECEIVED OR
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT BEARING
INCLUSIVE DATES OF EMPLOYEMENT.

AN OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS 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;

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

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

if, THE MOST RECENT EMPLOYMENT
CONTRACT BEARING INCLUSIVE DATES OF
EMPLOYMENT, PRIOR TO UNEMPLOYEMNT;


2 PROOF OF REMITTANCE OF THE OFW
WHILE WORKING OVERSEAS; AND,

6. CERTIFICATION FROM ANY CONCERNED
GOVERNMENT AGENCY THAT MEMBER
HAS 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 ONE
PER CENT (.1%) OF THE TOTAL OFW REMITTANCE
OF THE IMMEDIATE PRECEDING YEAR.

SEC. 5. Applicability and Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees,
executive orders, issuances, rules and regulations, and part thereof which are contrary to
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 6. 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.