Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1901

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The enactment of Republic Act No. 10361 otherwise known as “Batas Kasambahay”
on January 18, 2013 marked another day of equity and social justice in the country. The
institutionalization of protection and welfare policies under the law is a timely response to the
plight of our domestic workers.

This bill complements the due implementation of policies and programs concerning the
tight to education and training of domestic workers as mandated by RA 10361. It seeks to
provide our “kasambahay’ the accessibility and opportunity of education in formal institutions
of learning or under alternative learning systems.

‘As one of the vulnerable groups, domestic workers are not usually endowed with
proper education. Providing them the opportunities for proper education will not only help
improve their lives, but will also give way for them to climb the social ladder. Moreover,
providing them with essential knowledge will not only enhance their services, but will
transform them into more productive citizens as well. Their will of having proper education,
however, is confronted by their financial capabilities.

Since the State gives the highest priority to education, it is only plausible to reach out
to those who are incapable of getting proper education, like our domestic workers. Hence, this
bill specifically seeks to provide them with educational opportunities through scholarships and
similar grants. The enactment of this provision, perhaps, could best celebrate the very first
“Araw Ng Mga Kasambahay” on January 18, 2014 as provided under RA 10361.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought

Cn

EULOGIO “AMANG” R. MAGSAYSAY


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

House of Representatives

House Bill No. 136

Introduced by Rep. Eulogio “Amang” R. Magsaysay

AN ACT
PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO DOMESTIC WORKERS 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 "Domestic Workers
Educational Opportunities Act of 2013.

SECTION 2. Coverage. This shall cover all qualified domestic workers as used in
Republic Act No. 10361 otherwise known as the “Domestic Workers Act” or “Batas
Kasambahay”. Under this law, domestic worker or “kasambahay” refers to any person
engaged in domestic work within an employment relationship such as, but not limited to, the
following: general househelp, nursemaid or “yaya”, cook, gardener, or laundry person, but
shall not include children who are under foster family arrangement, and are provided access
to education and given an allowance incidental to education, i.e. “baon”, transportation,
school projects and school activities.

SECTION 3. Educational Opportunities. Domestic workers are herein provided with
educational privileges, as follows

1. Scholarship benefits in the form of tuition fees in state universities and colleges,
technical and vocational schools, including TESDA-accredited training institutions;

2. Preferential access to Alternative Learning System (ALS) program and other non-
formal education programs under the Department of Education (DepEd);

3. Tuition fee discounts in identified private educational institutions; and

4. Training programs such as those related to housekeeping. The Department of
Labor and Employment (DOLE), through the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA), shall facilitate access of domestic workers to
training, assessment and certification based on a duly promulgated training

regulation.


SECTION 4. Certification of Employment. An authentic certification duly signed by
the employer and the officer-in-charge of the Registry of Domestic Workers (RDW) in the
barangay where the employer's residence is located, stating the rendition of household
services shall be presented to the concemed institution or agency by the prospective grantee
of educational privileges provided in this Act. The said institution or agency may be allowed to
summon the employer or the barangay RDW for verification purposes.

SECTION 5. Implementing Guidelines. Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of
this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Secretary of
the Department of Education (DepEd), the Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), the Director-General of the Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA),
and the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in coordination
with the representatives of the concerned private institutions identified from among the duly
established and accredited organization, including representatives of concerned accredited
non-government institutions (NGOs) shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for
the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid
or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and
effect.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. Any provision of law, decree, order, rule or regulations
in conflict or inconsistent with provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of

general circulation.

Approved,