Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
286

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II, Section 27 of the Constitution states that, "The state shall
maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and take positive
and effective measures against graft and corruption." *

Despite this constitutional mandate, there is still pervasive corruption
in the Government. In a study funded by the Asia Foundation in 2009,
roughly twenty-two percent (22%) of the respondents said that they
have been personally asked for money by a government official at
some point to speed up transaction.

Such occurrences. may partly be attributed to the fact that many are
not familiar with the procedures necessary to transact business with
government agencies. To solve this problem, the World Bank through
its book “Combating Corruption in the Philippines” proposed that all
government agencies be required to post each step of procedure to
obtain a particular service; person/s responsible for each step;
maximum time to conclude the process; amount of fees if necessary;
and procedure for filing complaints.

The immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

Tay .

JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 2869

INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THAT
PROVIDE FRONTLINE SERVICES TO PROVIDE PUBLIC
INFORMATION ON HOW TO ACCESS SUCH SERVICES
FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICES

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State,
consistent with the Constitution, to promote and maintain integrity,
competence and efficiency in public service and to take positive and
effective measures against graft and corruption.

SEC 2. Information to Access Government Service. - All units of the
government, including departments, bureaus, offices,
instrumentalities, or government-owned or controlled corporations, or
local government or distinct units therein, that provide frontline
services to the public shall put-up information billboards, and if
feasible, produce handbooks that detail:

|. each step of procedure to obtain a particular service;

. employee / officer responsible for each step;

. Maximum time to conclude the process;

. document/s to be presented by the requesting party, if
necessary;

. amount of fees, if necessary; and
procedure for filing complaints in cases of violations or
negligence in the implementation of this Act.

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SEC 3. Language. - Information billboards shall be in the language
most commonly used in the area where the government agency is


located and in the English language, at the option of the agency
concerned.

SEC 4. Maintenance of Billboards. - Information billboards shall be
updated regularly and maintained in good and readable condition at all
times.

SEC 5. Location of Billboards. - Information billboards shall be posted
at the entrance of the government agencies concerned.

SEC 6. Extension of Period to Conclude the Process. - Under unusual
circumstances, the maximum time to access government service as
indicated in the billboard or handbook may be extended within a
reasonable period; Provided, That the agencies concerned shall notify
the requesting party of the cause of extension and the final date of
release of the document requested.

SEC 7. Denial of Request for Access to Government Service. - Any
denial of request or access to government service shall be fully
explained in writing, signed by the employee J officer denying such
request and the grounds thereof. Any denial of request is deemed to
have been made with the permission or clearance from the highest
authority having jurisdiction over the government agency concerned.

SEC 8. Penalties. - Any public officer or employee who violates or is
negligent in the performance of the provisions hereof, shall be
punished by a fine of not less than One hundred pesos (P100.00) nor
more than One thousand pesos (P1,000.00), or by imprisonment not
exceeding one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of the Court.

The violation of this Act proven in a proper administrative proceeding
shall be sufficient cause for removal or dismissal of a public officer or
employee, even if no criminal prosecution is instituted against the
former.

SEC 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Government
agencies concerned shall, within sixty (60) days from the approval
hereof, promulgate the appropriate rules and regulations in
implementing the provisions of this Act.

SEC 10. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any part or provision
of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, other parts or
provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in
full force and effect.


SEC 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations, issuances or any parts thereof inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are deemed repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a
national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,