Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. _ 11973

Introduced by AKBAYAN PARTYLIST REP. PERCIVAL CENDANA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Right to Equality and Nondiscrimination is enshrined in Article II of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and in various international law documents the
Philippines government subscribed to. Discrimination is defined in Article 1(1) ILO
111 as ‘any distinction, exclusion or preference made on the basis of race, color,
sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin, which has the effect
of nullifying or impairing equality of opportunity or treatment in the employment or
occupation.’ Hence, the right to equal treatment entails that all persons be treated
equally before the law and that those in equal circumstances are dealt with equally in
law and practice.

Meanwhile, our 1987 Constitution in Article XIII, Section 1 mandates the Congress to
give the highest priority to the enactment of measures that protect and enhance the
right of all people to human dignity, reduce social, economic, and_ political
inequalities, and remove cultural inequities.

These mandates have been historically neglected by imposing discriminatory
measures against marginalized sectors. Farmers, fisherfolks, urban poor, indigenous
people, and other vulnerable groups have experienced being subjected to dress
codes imposed by public offices. Frontline services which are supposed to be open
and accessible to common Filipinos are open governed by strict rules which are
often prohibitive.

Strict dress codes discriminate against the poorest Filipinos who cannot afford to
comply or are culturally different with the stringent prescriptions of some government
offices and institutions. These impositions prevent many ordinary citizens from
accessing services that they should rightfully enjoy. These unjust requirements
hinder public participation in government processes.


Unnecessary prescriptions in attire in government offices for citizens are hereby
prohibited. Discrimination based on clothing has no place in public offices, the
establishment and operations of which, all taxpayers paid for. The principles of
equality and nondiscrimination must be observed and adhered to most especially by
government institutions.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this “Open Door Policy” is eamestly sought.

xPERCIVAL CENDANA
AKBAYAN PARTYLIST



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

11978

House Bill No.

Introduced by AKBAYAN PARTYLIST REP. PERCIVAL CENDANA

AN ACT
PROHIBITING GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND AGENCIES FROM DENYING
CITIZENS ACCESS TO FRONTLINE SERVICES AND ATTENDANCE IN PUBLIC
MEETINGS 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.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the need to value the dignity
of every human person and the promotion of social justice in all phases of national
development. Furthermore, the Constitution also mandates Congress to give highest
Priority to the enactment of measures that protect and enhance the right of all the
People to human dignity, reduce social and economic inequalities, and remove
cultural inequities.

SEC. 3. Coverage. — This Act shall apply to all goverment offices and agencies
including the national government and all its agencies, departments, bureaus, offices
and instrumentalities, constitutional commissions and constitutionally mandated
bodies, local govemments 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 including the offices of Senators and
Representatives that provide frontline services and/or hold public meetings as
defined in this Act. Dress codes for public officials and employees in the course of
their duties in their respective government offices or agencies will not be affected or
prohibited by this Act.


SEC. 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 the public officer or employee, or that which present only inconsequential
issues for the resolution by an officer or employee of said government office.
Such requests or applications are acted upon by the assigned officer or
employee during the period stated in the Citizen's Charter, as provided by
Republic Act No. 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, which shall not be
longer than five (5) working days.

c. Public Meetings refers to meetings, hearings, or sessions conducted by any
goverment office or agency, including legislative bodies, that are open to the
public, where citizens act as guests, observers, or participants, whichever the
case may be.

4. Strict Dress Code refers to rules and regulations that prescribe particular
clothing and footwear that effectively prevent citizens from accessing frontline
services from government offices and agencies or attending public meetings.

e. Marginalized Sectors refer to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups of citizens
in Philippine society including, but not limited to farmers, peasants, landless
rural workers, fisherfolk, workers in the formal sector, workers in the informal
sector, urban poor, rural poor, indigenous peoples and cultural communities,
and disaster survivors.

SEC. 5. Prohibition of Strict Dress Codes in Government 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 the types of
clothing and footwear that can or cannot be worn by citizens whom they are serving
in their respective frontline service offices; Provided, That the attire of the citizen
acting as a client is not integral or essential to the transactions being undertaken


in of Strict Dress Codes in Public Meetings. — All government
institutions, including legislative bodies, shall be barred from implementing strict
dress codes that prevent citizens, especially those belonging to marginalized
sectors, from attending public meetings as guests, observers, or participants.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Civil Service Commission
(CSC), in consultation with the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP)
and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this
Act.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any section or part of this Act is held
unconstitutional, no other section or provision shall be affected.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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,


4 os
ig f
Republika ng Pilipinas is ca ive 20h 3 ‘*
KAMARA DE REPRESENTANTES. i aT
Lungsod Quezon, Metro Manila

IKA-LABING SIYAM NA KONGRESO
Ikatlong Regular na Sesyon

Panukala ng Kapulungan Big._ 11.9

Inihain ni AKBAYAN PARTYLIST REP. PERCIVAL CENDANA

ISANG BATAS
NA NAGBABAWAL SA MGA TANGGAPAN AT AHENSYA NG PAMAHALAAN NA
PIGILAN ANG MGA MAMAMAYAN NA MAABOT ANG FRONTLINE SERVICES AT
MAKADALO SA MGA PAMPUBLIKONG PULONG DAHIL SA KASUOTAN

Ipinagtitibay ng Senado at Kamara de Representantes ng Pilipinas bilang Kongresong
nagtipon:

SEKSYON 1. Maiksing Pamagat. - Ang Batas na ito ay kikilalanin bilang “Open Door
Policy Act.”

SEK. 2. Pagpapahayag ng Polisiya. — Kinikilala ng Estado ang pangangailangan
para pahalagahan ang dignidad ng bawat tao at ang pagtataguyod ng katarungang
panlipunan sa lahat ng antas ng pambansang pagpapaunlad. Karagdagan pa rito,
itinatakda ng Saligang Batas na dapat pag-ukulan ng Kongreso ng pinakamataas na
prioridad ang pagsasabatas ng mga hakbanging magtatanggo! at magpapalawig sa
karapatan ng lahat ng mamamayan sa dignidad na pantao at magtatanggal ng ‘di
pagkakapantay-pantay na panlipunan, pang-ekonomiko, at kultural.

SEK. 3. Saklaw. — Ang Batas na ito ay sasaklaw sa lahat ng tanggapan at ahensya
ng pamahalaan kasama ang pambansang pamahalaan at ang kanyang mga ahensya,
kagawaran, kawanihan, tanggapan at instrumentalidad, komisyong konstitusyonal at
lupong iniatas ng Saligang Batas, lokal na pamahalaan at lahat ng mga ahensya ng
mga ito kasama ang mga lupong tagapagbatas o panlehislatibo, korporasyong pag-
aario kontrolado ng pamahalaan, pamantasan at kolehiyong pang-estado, at lahat ng
mga tanggapan ng Kongreso ng Pilipinas kasama ang mga tanggapan ng mga
Senador at Kinatawan na mayroong frontline services atfo nagsasagawa ng mga
pampublikong pulong, base sa pagkakahulugan sa Batas na ito. Ang mga dress code
para sa mga pampublikong opisyal at kawani sa daloy ng kanilang mga gawain sa



kanilang mga tanggapan o ahensyang ng pamahalaan ay hindi maaapektuhan o
pagbabawalan ng Batas na ito.

SEK. 4. Kahulugan ng mga Termino. — Para sa mga layunin ng Batas na ito, ang
mga sumusunod na salita ay tumutukoy sa mga sumusunod:

Ang Frontline Service ay tumutukoy sa proseso o transaksyon sa pagitan ng
mamamayan bilang kliyente at ng tanggapan o ahensya ng pamahalaan na
may kinalaman sa mga aplikasyon para sa anumang pribilehiyo, karapatan,
permiso, pabuya, lisensya, konsesyon, 0 para sa anumang pagbabago, pag-
uulit (renewal), o pagpapatuloy (extension) ng mga nasabing aplikasyon ato
request na inaaksyunan sa karaniwang daloy ng gawain ng naturang opisina 0
tanggapan.

. Ang Simpleng Transaksyon ay tumutukoy sa mga request o aplikasyon na

isinumite ng kliyente ng tanggapan o ahensya ng pamahalaan na
nangangailangan lamang ng mga aksyong ministerial sa bahagi ng
pampublikong opisyal o kawani, o iyong mga may kinalaman lamang sa mga
hindi mabibigat na usapin para sa resolusyon ng opisyal o kawani ng naturang
tanggapan ng pamahalaan. Ang mga nasabing request o aplikasyon ay
aaksyunan ng nakatalagang opisyal o kawani sa loob ng panahong nakasaad
sa Citizen's Charter, na nababanggit sa Republic Act No. 9485 o ang Anti-Red
Tape Act of 2007, na hindi lalagpas sa limang (5) araw ng trabaho (working
days).

. Ang Pampublikong Pulong ay tumtutukoy sa mga pulong, pagdinig, o sesyong

isinasagawa ng anumang tanggapan o ahensya ng pamahalaan, kabilang ang
mga lupong tagapagbatas o paniehislatibo, na bukas sa publiko, kung saan
ang mga mamamayan ay naroon bilang panauhin, taga-obserba, o kalahok,
kung alin man ang kaso.

|. Ang Mahigpit na Dress Code ay tumutukoy sa mga patakaran at regulasyong

nagtatakda_ng partikular na kasuotan na tiyak na pumipigil sa mga
mamamayan upang maabot ang mga frontline service ng mga tanggapan at
ahensya ng pamahalaan o makadalo sa mga pampublikong pulong.

. Ang Mga Sektor na nasa Laylayan ng Lipunan ay tumutukoy sa mga grupo ng

mga mamamayan sa lipunang Pilipino na madaling nasasamantala at kulang
sa oportunidad kabilang, ngunit hindi limitado sa mga magsasaka, pesante,
manggagawa sa kanayunan na walang sariling lupa, mangingisda,
manggagawa sa pormal na sektor, manggagawa sa impormal na sektor,
maralitang tagalungsod, maralita sa kanayunan, katutubong mamamayan at
kultural na pamayanan, at nakaligtas sa sakuna.



SEK. 5. Pagbabawal sa Mahigpit na Dress Code sa mga Frontline Service Office
ng Pamahalaan. - Lahat ng institusyon ng pamahalaan na mayroong frontline service
office ay pinagbabawalang magpatupad ng mahigpit na dress code na pipigil sa mga
mamamayan, lalo na ang mga kabilang sa mga sektor na nasa laylayan ng lipunan,
na pumasok para magtanong o magsagawa ng mga simpleng transaksyon. Ang mga
nasabing institusyon ay hindi pahihintulutang magtakda ng mga uri ng kasuotan na
maaari o hindi maaaring gamitin ng mga mamamayang kanilang pinaglilingkuran sa
kanilang mga frontline service office; Sa kondisyong hindi mahalaga o lubhang
kinakailangan ang uri ng kasuotan sa mga transaksyong isinasagawa.

SEK. 6. Pagbabawal sa Mahigpit na Dress Code sa mga Pampublikong Pulong.
— Lahat ng institusyon ng pamahalaan, kasama ang mga lupong tagapagbatas o
panlehislatibo, ay pinagbabawalang magpatupad ng mahigpit na dress code na pipigil
‘sa mga mamamayan, lalo na ang mga kabilang sa mga sektor na nasa laylayan ng
lipunan, na makadalo sa mga pampublikong pulong bilang panauhin, taga-obserba, o
kalahok.

SEK. 7. Pananagutang Administratibo. — Ang hindi pagsunod sa Batas na ito ay
tutumbas bilang gross neglect of duty at bubuo sa batayan para sa mga parusang
administratibo at pandisiplina laban sa sinumang pampublikong opisyal o kawani na
sinasadya at kusang magpapatupad ng mahigpit na dress code na pipigil sa sinumang
mamamayan na maabot ang mga frontline service ng pamahalaan o makadalo sa
pampublikong pulong.

SEK. 8. Nagpapatupad na Patakaran at Regulasyon. — Ang Komisyon ng Serbiso
Sibil {Civil Service Commission (CSC)], sa pakikipagtulungan sa Pampanguluhang
Komisyon para sa Maralitang Tagalungsod [Presidential Commission for the Urban
Poor (PCUP)] at Pambansang Komisyon sa mga Katutubong Mamamayan [National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)], ay magpapalaganap ng Kinakailangang
mga patakaran at regulasyon sa loob ng siyamnapung (90) araw mula sa pagsasabisa
ng Batas na ito.

SEK. 9. Sugnay na Naghihiwalay. - Kapag ang anumang seksyon o bahagi ng Batas
na ito ay madeklara bilang labag sa Saligang Batas, hindi maaapektuhan ang iba pang
mga seksyon o probisyon.

SEK. 10. Sugnay na Nagpapawalang-Bisa. — Lahat ng mga probisyon ng mga
kasalukuyang batas, pampanguluhang atas, ehekutibong kautusan, liham ng
tagubilin, administratibong kautusan, patakaran at regulasyong tumataliwas o hindi
umaayon sa mga probisyon ng Batas na ito ay pinawawalang-bisa, inaamyendahan,
© binabago.



SEK. 11. Pagsasabisa. — Ang Batas na ito ay mabibigyan ng bisa labinlimang (15)
araw matapos ang kumpletong pagkakalathala sa Official Gazette o sa hindi bababa
sa dalawang (2) pahayagan na may pangkalahatang sirkulasyon.

Inaprubahan,