Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES *
Quezon City 92 JUL 20%
epi

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

913

House Bill No.

Introduced by HON. IRWIN C. TIENG, HON. MARIANO MICHAEL M. VELARDE
and HON. JOSE L. ATIENZA, JR.

EXPLANATORY

Correction and rehabilitation are the basic reasons why offenders are kept in
prisons. The introduction of work programs have been found to be an effective means
for rehabilitating prisoner and reducing recidivism. Likewise, this kind of intervention will
better prepare them to become productive members of society upon their release from
prisons.

This Bill provides prisoners committed to the Bureau of Corrections and the
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology the right to engage in prison works. Prisoners
will receive compensation for prison work based on quantity and quality of work
performed and skill required for its performance. However, part of the earnings will be
used to indemnify the prisoner's victims for the harm done, and the rest will be
distributed for financial support to prisoner's immediate family and for his personal
savings.

The aim of this Bill is to promote the security goals of the correctional institutions
by reducing idleness, thereby contributing to an atmosphere in which tensions and
violence will be reduced. Prison work will also help prisoners develop meaningful work
ethics and gain valuable work experience

Hence, immediate passage of the Bill is earnestly sought

MARIANO MICHAEL M. VELARDE

JOSE L. ATIENZA, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 913

Introduced by HON. IRWIN C. TIENG, HON. MARIANO MICHAEL M. VELARDE
and HON. JOSE L. ATIENZA, JR.

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH PRISONER’S CONTRITION AND CONTRIBUTION TO.
SOCIETY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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

Section 1. Short Title. This act shall be known as “Prisoner's Contrition and
Contribution to Society Act of 2013”

Section 2. Declaration of State Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
provide effective rehabilitation programs to prisoners in order to better prepare them to
become productive members of society upon their release from prisons and jails.

Section 3. Prison Work Defined. Prison Work shalll refer to the physical activity that is
within the ability of an individual prisoner, for valuable consideration directed to provide
opportunities for productivity

Section 4. Hours of Work. Each able-bodied prisoner under commitment to the Bureau
of Corrections and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology shall have the right to
engage in prison work for not less than forty hours per week.

Section 5. Compensation. The compensation shall be in accordance with a graduated
schedule established by the Heads of the Bureaus based on quantity and quality of
work performed and skill required for its performance but shall not exceed Two Hundred
Pesos (PhP 200.00) per day.

Section 6. Earning Distribution. Compensation earned through prison work shall be
distributed in accordance with the following purposes:

a) Forty percent (40%) for reparation or compensation to the victims of the
particular prisoner's crime;

b) Thirty percent (30%) for financial support to the immediate family of the
prisoner; and

c) Thirty percent (30%) for prisoner’s personal savings.
Section 7. Limitations.

a) No prisoner shall be allowed to work if he is below 18 years old or above 55
years old.


b) A prisoner shall not be forced to work and shall receive work assignments
commensurate and compatible with the condition and limitations of his
physical and mental health.

¢) No prisoner shall participate in a work assignment that threatens the safety or
security of the public, the correctional institution or the prisoner.

d) Each prisoner who does not present a risk to the public and who is not limited
by his physical or mental health may engage to work.

Section 8. No Employer-employee Relationship. Notwithstanding any other law, no
prisoner engage in prison work by the concerned Bureau shall be considered an
employee or to be employed by the government, private enterprise or the concerned
Bureau, nor shall an employee-employer relationship exist between the prisoner and the
concerned Bureau, the government or private enterprise for any purpose and none of
the rights or privileges otherwise accorded to employees by law shall accrue to such
prisoners.

Section 9. Availability of Prison Works. Prison work services shall be available to any
government agency and to any private enterprise within the country. The services of
prison shall be provided on such terms as are set by the Heads of the Bureaus,
including the manner of compensation by the contracting government agency or private
enterprise.

Section 10. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act
shall be charged to the appropriations for the Department of Justice and the Department
of Interior and Local Government as the case maybe under the current general
Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its continued
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The
expenses for the employment projects will be provided by the department involved

Section 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Secretary of Justice and
Secretary of Interior and Local Government in coordination with other appropriate
agencies, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

Section 12. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules or regulations, other
inssuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended
accordingly.

Section 13. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, other
parts or provisions thereof not affected thereby shall remain and continue to be in full
force and effect.

Section 14. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in
two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,