Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JORGE DANIEL S. BOCOBO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” 
Proverbs 31: 8-9 
Republic Act No. 10361, known as the “Domestic Workers Act” or “Batas Kasambahay,” is a 
landmark statute enacted to promote the dignity, protect the rights, and ensure the welfare of 
domestic workers in the Philippines. This law harmonizes the obligations of employers with 
the constitutional principles of social justice and the protection of vulnerable groups, as well 
as relevant provisions under the Labor Code of the Philippines.  
Meanwhile, this proposed measure, "Enhanced Batas Kasambahay Act”, seeks to reduce 
social inequalities by addressing persistent challenges such as low wages, limited access to 
upskilling opportunities, and the lack of healthcare support for chronic conditions. 
The measure mandates employers to provide kasambahays with at least one hour per day or 
six hours per week for continuing alternative or skills education, with this time counted as 
compensable working hours. 
To support online learning, the bill directs the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 
in coordination with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) 
to institute a program that will make internet-enabled devices accessible to kasambahays. 
To implement these reforms, the bill creates a Kasambahay Education Inter-Agency 
Committee composed of the DOLE, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 
(TESDA), Department of Education (DepEd), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED). 
The committee is tasked to: 1) Formulate practical learning modules for kasambahays; 2) 
Provide access to learning despite technological limitations; and, 3) Balance the rights of both 
employers and kasambahays in designing terms of participation. Thereby, empowering 
kasambahays with opportunities for self-improvement and lifelong learning.  
Additionally, this law is supplemented by various DOLE orders, implementing rules, and other 
social legislation such as the Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance 
Corporation (PhilHealth), and Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) Acts. 
The bill also includes provisions for free maintenance medicines for kasambahays suffering 
from illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, tuberculosis, and other chronic conditions 
to be determined by the Department of Health (DOH). 
August 27, 2025
5:25 pm
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These will be procured by the LGUs of the kasambahay’s workplace and legally charged to 
PhilHealth under the National Health Insurance Program. 
The measure also seeks stricter enforcement of employer obligations to register kasambahays 
under SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG, while improving access to grievance mechanisms and 
legal support for victims of abuse or exploitation. 
Overall, this measure reaffirms our commitment to decent work, health, growth, security, and 
opportunity for our domestic workers, our most essential household support. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
JORGE DANIEL S. BOCOBO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JORGE DANIEL S. BOCOBO 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL RIGHTS AND BENEFITS TO KASAMBAHAYS 
UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10361, ENTITLED “AN ACT INSTITUTING 
POLICIES FOR THE PROTECTION AND WELFARE OF DOMESTIC 
WORKERS”, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “DOMESTIC WORKERS ACT” 
OR “BATAS KASAMBAHAY”, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 "Enhanced Batas Kasambahay 
Act.” 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the 
right to health of the people while affirming labor as a primary social economic force, protecting 
the rights of workers and promoting their welfare. It is therefore the responsibility of the State 
to provide social benefits for the labor force and the underprivileged. The Constitution also 
encourages non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems, as well as self-learning, 
independent, and out-of-school study programs particularly those that respond to community 
needs. 
Congress shall give highest priority to the enactment of measures that protect and 
enhance the right of all the people to human dignity, and reduce social, economic, and political 
inequalities. The provision of additional benefits and access to education, especially to the 
disadvantaged citizens of our society, works to this end. 
By providing their services, kasambahays play a vital role in the basic unit of our 
society. Therefore, it is necessary that the State promote and protect their rights by providing 
them access to social services and benefits, consistent with the principle of raising the quality 
of life for all, especially the underprivileged. 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. – For the purposes of this Act, the following terms are 
defined: 
(a) Kasambahay – refers to any person who is employed or otherwise engaged in
domestic work exclusively for one (1) household, whether on a live-in or live-out arrangement, 
and whose working hours for such household is at least twenty (20) hours per week.  
Kasambahay shall include individuals performing tasks related to general househelp, 
caregiving, child-minding, cooking, gardening, and other similar activities, but shall exclude 
(a) those performing such tasks on a freelance, part-time, or per-task basis; (b) those
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performing such tasks occasionally or sporadically and not on an occupational basis; and (c) 
those who are performing such tasks for multiple households.   
 
The definition of a kasambahay found in Republic Act No. 10361 shall remain in effect 
for the purposes of that law insofar as it is not inconsistent with the purpose of this Act. 
 
(b) Alternative Learning Systems or ALS – refers to a learning system that provides 
for a substitute or option to formal education through practical means. 
 
(c) Maintenance drugs or medicines – refer to medications taken regularly or on a 
recurring basis prescribed to treat chronic and/or long-term illnesses or diseases. 
 
(d) Outpatient drugs or medicines – refer to medications that are obtained outside 
of a hospital. 
 
Sec. 4. Continuing Education. – Without prejudice to Section 20 of Republic Act No. 
10361, otherwise known as the Batas Kasambahay, each kasambahay shall have at least one 
(1) hour per day, or six (6) hours per week, for continuing alternative or skills education which 
hours shall be considered as compensable working hours.  
 
To make online learning accessible to kasambahay, the Department of Labor and 
Employment (DOLE), in coordination with the Department of Information and Communications 
Technology (DICT), shall institute a program to make internet and internet-enabled devices 
accessible to kasambahays. 
 
Sec. 5. Access to Alternative Learning Systems. – The Technical Education and Skills 
Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Education (DepEd), and Commission on 
Higher Education (CHED) shall provide alternative learning systems to all kasambahays, 
ensuring that all kasambahays have equal opportunities and access to such systems. These 
systems shall include applications and online content designed to enable and encourage 
participation, interaction, and development for upskilling and further study. 
  
Sec. 6. Kasambahay Education Inter-Agency Committee. – There is hereby created a 
Kasambahay Education Inter-Agency Committee, hereinafter referred to as the Committee, 
for the formulation of effective alternative learning framework for all kasambahays. The 
Committee shall be composed of the Secretary of the DOLE as Chairman, or any official as 
may be appointed by him, and the respective heads of TESDA, DepEd, and CHED, or any 
official as may be appointed–by such heads, as members. 
 
The Committee shall have the following mandate: 
(a) Formulate a practical, accessible and convenient module for the alternative 
learning of kasambahays; 
(b) Study and implement efficient terms and conditions for the access of 
kasambahays to alternative learning taking into consideration the right of both 
employers and kasambahays; 
(c) Provide efficient access to alternative learning systems, ensuring that 
kasambahays have access to the necessary tools or gadgets to access online 
education; and 
(d) Such other functions as may be deemed necessary for the implementation of 
the alternative learning of kasambahays. 
 
Sec. 7. Free Maintenance Medicine for Kasambahays. – Maintenance medicine of 
kasambahays for illnesses and conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, 
tuberculosis, and such other chronic illnesses and conditions to be determined by the DOH 
shall be purchased by the LGUs of their workplace. Such maintenance medicine purchased 


shall be legally chargeable and covered by the National Health Insurance Program 
implemented by PhilHealth. A delivery system must be put in place for monthly or quarterly 
regular deliveries of such maintenance medicines to kasambahays.  
 
Such coverage shall be distinct from in-patient drugs provided during and right after 
confinement due to the aforementioned illnesses and diseases. 
 
Sec. 8. Earlier Access to Social Security System (SSS) Benefits for Kasambahays. – 
A kasambahay who has paid at least sixty (60) monthly contributions prior to the semester of 
retirement and who: (a) has reached the age of fifty-six (56) years and is already separated 
from employment; or (b) has reached the age of sixty (60) years, shall be entitled for as long 
as he lives to the monthly pension: Provided, That he shall have the option to receive his first 
eighteen (18) monthly pensions in lump sum discounted at a preferential rate of interest to be 
computed and determined by the SSS. 
 
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within thirty (30) days upon approval 
of this Act, the Kasambahay Education Inter-Agency Committee and PhilHealth shall 
promulgate rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act. 
 
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, 
administrative orders, rules and regulations, issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with any 
provision of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
 
Sec. 11. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any portion or provision of this Act 
shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall 
continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
Sec. 12. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,