Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BilNo._ ‘BOG 7

Introduced by: HON. MA. VICTORIA SY-ALVARADO, Representative, 1* District of Bulacan

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR INDIGENTS AND GRANTING A COMPREHENSIVE
BENEFIT PACKAGE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES,

Explanatory Note

“Those who have less in life, must have more in law’. This classic and
simplified definition of Social Justice by the late President Ramon Magsaysay has
become more and more relevant in the present day Philippines in the midst of
widespread poverty of our people. Poor people, also termed “indigents” are the ones
referred to by the late President as those who have less in life.

Despite the claimed economic growth enjoyed by the present administration
and discussions of optimistic economic outlook for the next year, it is still undeniable
that many of our people remains poor and in dire need of the Government's
assistance. In an apparent acknowledgment of this fact, our Government is
specifically talking about “all inclusive growth” which purports to programs that will
address the needs of the poor, or that programs that will redound to the benefit of the
people. Programs that will have direct effect on the poor.

It is in this context that this bill is proposed for the poor, the indigents to have
@ Magna Carta of its own. Congress has enacted several similar laws, e.g. Magna
Carta for Women, Magna Carta for Students, Magna Carta for Homeowners, Magna
Carta for Teachers to name a few. It is time, the largest segment, the poor, the
indigents, will have its own Magna Carta. Of course, the passage of Magna Carta for
Indigents will not and should not prejudice other benefits already granted by the
Government to the poor. The passage of the Magna Carta for Indigents will simply
give meaning to that famous cry to give those who have less in life, more in law.

ee

Approval of this bill is therefore most respectfully urged.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _ 3537

Introduced by: HON. MA. VICTORIA SY-ALVARADO, Representative, 1* District of Bulacan

‘AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR INDIGENTS AND GRANTING A COMPREHENSIVE
BENEFIT PACKAGE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES,

Be it Be it enacted by the House of Representatives in session assembled that;

Section 1. Short title. This Act shall be known as “The Magna Carta for Indigents”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. \t shall be the policy of the State to:

(a)

(b)
(c)

Secure, protect and promote the welfare of ‘its citizens particularly the indigents who
‘need most the intervention of the government pursuant to the mandate given by
the Constitution provided under Sec. 10 of Article ll which states that “the State shall
promote social justice in all phases of national development” and under Sec. 1 of
Article Xill on Social Justice and Human Rights which states that “the Congress shall
Bive highest priority to the enactment of measures that protect and enhance the
right of all the people to human dignity, reduce social, economic, and political
inequalities”.

Provide programs and projects that will help alleviate the plight of the indigents.

Consolidate, incorporate and institutionalize services of the government that will
provided for indigents

Section 3, Definition of terms. For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall refer to:

(a)

(b)
(c)

(a)

(e)

“Indigent”- A person who has no visible means of income, or whose income is insufficient
for the subsistence of his family, as identified by the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) based on a specific set of criteria identified for this purpose.
“Dependent” ~ The spouse and minor children of the Indigent who actually lives with the
person applying as Indigent.

“Professional Indigent”- A person who poses, pretends or claims to be an indigent for
Purposes of securing the benefits under this act, when in truth and in fact, he has profitable
income and Is able to support himself and his family.

“ID system”- A system of Identification where residents certified to by the DSWD will be
issued IDs for them to avail of the programs and services under this Act. Provided that, an ID
‘may be issued only to the Head of the Family of a household.

“PCSO” - The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.



Section 4.

Programs, Privileges and Services. Under this Act, a person certified to as indigent as

appearing in the DSWD issued ID and upon showing of such ID, shall have the following benefits and

privilege

a.

Full and free hospitalization in all government hospitals. He shall also be entitled to free
medicines from government owned pharmaceuticals, pharmacy or botica. In cases where
there are no government hospitals available and the indigent has been admitted to private
hospitals, it shall be the obligation of the Government, through the DSWD and with the aid
of PCSO to pay the indigent’s hospital bills and other fees.

Full and free and education in all and any State Universities and Colleges including TESDA
accredited or partner institutions, subject to the academic requirements of the institution,
such as entrance examinations, attendance and similar requirements.

Exemption from payment of all legal fees and charges in any court of justice or tribunal,
including filing fees in civil cases.

Exemption from payment of all fees or charges in securing clearances from government
agencies such as the NBI, Police, Barangay and Court clearances.

Priority in the granting of the Conditional Cash Transfer programs, Food for Work, Education
for work and similar poverty alleviation programs of the Government,

Priority in the Livelihood opportunites and projects given by the Government and any of its
agencies and subdivisions.

Exemption from payment of transportation fees in certain extraordinary circumtances such
as “balik probinsya” programs or death in the family where travel is a must.

Automatic financial assistance and priority assitance in times of calamities or disasters.

Section 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to finance the initial implementation of this Act shall
be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DSWD. Thereafter, the current budget shall
be increased by one hundred percent (100%), which shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act (GAA) for its continued implementation.

Section 6. Penalties.- Violations of this Act shall be penalized as follows:

a)

b)

Any person found guilty for being a “Professional Indigent” shall suffer the penalty of
imprisonment not exceeding one (1) year and a community service for at least six (6)
Months. A repeat offender shall be meted a penalty of imprisonment of four (4) years and a
community serice for at least one (1) year.

Any agency of the government, private establishment or the persons or officials found not
to have granted and honored the privileges and benefits under this Act shall suffer the


penalty of imprisonment of not more than one (1) year and community service of at least
six (6) months. A repeat offender shall be meted a penalty of imprisonment of four (4) years
and a community serice for at least one (1) year.

Section 6. Implementing Agency;Rules and Regulations. - The DSWD is hereby mandated to create a
Special Office for Indigent Residents or a similar office to fully implement this Act, It shall establish a
database on indigent resident. Such Office shall adopt rules and regulations to implement the
Provisions of this Act within sixty (60) days from the date of its approval.

Section 17. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof
inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 18. Separability Clause. - if any part or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid,
other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected shall continue to remain in full force and effect,

Section 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following completion of its publication
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.