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

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 282

Introduced by Representatives Bryan B. Revilla, Lani Mercado-Revilla, and Ramon
Jolo B. Revilla III

AN ACT
PROVIDING INDIGENT JOB APPLICANTS A 20% DISCOUNT IN THE
PAYMENT OF FEES AND CHARGES FOR CERTAIN CERTIFICATES AND
(CLEARANCES ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II Section 9 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “The State shall
promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and
independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that
provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living,
and an improved quality of life for all.”

In 2019, Congress enacted Republic Act No, 11261 or the "First Time
Jobseekers Assistance Act”which waived government fees and charges in the issuance
of documents required in the application for employment of first time job seekers -
particularly to new graduates in order to provide them access to full employment and
opportunities.

Relatedly, this measure aims to grant a twenty percent (20%) discount to
indigent job applicants in securing their documents and certifications which are
commonly asked during the pre-employment process. It is hoped that prospective
workers who are discouraged and burdened by such charges will be relieved from
these expenses and eventually secure a decent job.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is highly
recommended.


REP., B. REVILLA REP. i MERCADO-REVILLA
Representative, AGIMAT Party-list Represent&tive, 2nd District of Cavite

REP. sono Kor REVILLA Ill



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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 282

Introduced by Representatives Bryan B. Revilla, Lani Mercado-Revilla, and Ramon
Jolo B. Revilla IIT

AN ACT
PROVIDING INDIGENT JOB APPLICANTS A 20% DISCOUNT IN THE
PAYMENT OF FEES AND CHARGES FOR CERTAIN CERTIFICATES AND
(CLEARANCES ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

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

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Kabalikat sa Abot-
Kamay na Pagsisimula Act.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is the policy of the State to promote a just
and dynamic order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and
free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services,
promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life
for all.

Further, the State shall strive for a more equitable distribution of opportunities,
income and wealth; a sustained increase in the amount of goods and services
produced by the nation for the benefit of the people, and an expanding productivity
to raise the quality of life for all, especially the underprivileged.

Sec, 3. Provision of Twenty Percent (20%) Discount. — Indigent job applicants,
whether here or abroad, shall be granted a twenty percent (20%) discount in the
payment of fees and charges for the following clearances and certificates requisite for
pre-employment application:

a. Police clearance certificate;


b. National Bureau of Investigation clearance;

c. Barangay clearance from the barangay where the beneficiary resides;

d. Medical certificate from a government hospital, provided that fees and charges
collected for laboratory tests and other medical procedures required for the
grant of a medical certificate shall not be free of charge;

e. Certificate of live birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority
(PSA);

f. Marriage Certificate issued by the PSA;

g. Transcript of academic records issued by state colleges and universities; and

h. Other documentary requirements issued by the government that may be
required by employers from job applicants.

The identified indigent job applicant may avail of the privileges under this Act
‘only once every six (6) months from each government agency.

Sec. 4. Identification of Beneficiaries. - As used in this Act, an indigent job
applicant refers to a person who is seeking gainful employment and has no visible
means of income or whose income falls below the official poverty threshold, as
identified and certified by the PSA based on the criteria set under the Community-
Based Monitoring System (CBMS) as established under Republic Act No. 11315,
otherwise known as the “Community-Based Monitoring System Act.”

Members of the households of the “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program’ (4Ps)
shall be automatically considered as “poor” and are eligible to avail of the privileges
under this Act.

Social welfare officers of the local government units and barangay officials are
hereby authorized to issue certification, using the abovementioned criteria and
established guidelines, for this purpose as proof of eligibility of job applicants in
availing the privileges provided for under this Act. Such certification shall be free of
charge.

Sec. 5. Establishment of One Stop Shop. - The Public Employment Service Office
(PESO) in all Local Government Units shall establish One Stop Shop in order to assist
indigent jobseekers in securing required pre-employment documents from relevant
government agencies.

Sec. 6. Penalties. —


a. Any public officer or employee who refused or fails to provide the benefit
granted to the poor job applicant in violation of Section 3 of this Act shall, upon
conviction, be subject to a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00)
but not more than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00).

Prosecution for an offense set forth in this Act, shall be without prejudice to
any liability for violation of any other existing laws, including civil service law, rules

b. A job applicant who misrepresents or falsified any document to avail of benefits
provided under this Act or abuses the privileges granted herein shall be
prosecuted and punished in accordance with the pertinent provisions of Act No.

3815, as amended, otherwise known as “The Revised Penal Code, and shall

suffer perpetual disqualification in availing the privileges under this Act.

Sec. 7. Interagency Coordinating and Monitoring Committee. — An interagency
coordinating and monitoring committee, hereinafter referred to as the Committee,
shall be established to coordinate and monitor the implementation of this Act.

The Committee shall be composed of the following agencies represented by
their Head of Agencies or authorized representative no lower than a rank of an
UnderSecretary:

a. Chairperson: Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
b. Vice Chairperson: Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
c. Members:

i. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)

Department of the Information and Communication Technology (DICT)

PSA

iv. Commission on Higher Education (CHED

v. _ National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC)

The committee shall monitor the compliance of the concerned government agencies
and instrumentalities, and may recommend to the proper authorities the filing of an
administrative complaint against any person who refuses to comply with the provisions
of this Act.

Sec. 8. Interpretation in Favor of the Applicant. - In all cases, any ambiguity in
the interpretation of the provisions of this Act shall be in favor of the applicant.

3


No government agency or instrumentality shall issue unduly restrictive
regulations which will render nugatory the benefits provided under this Act.1awphi1
Such shall constitute an administrative offense punishable under the Administrative
Code and other pertinent laws.

Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days after the
effectivity of this Act, The DOLE, in consultation with the DSWD, DILG and DICT, shall
issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations for its effective
implementation.

Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder hereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force
and effect.

Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
letter of instructions, proclamations or administrative regulations that are inconsistent
with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 12. Fffectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,