Freelancers and Remote Workers Startup Support Act

THE TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE RECE VED REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES PHILIPO First Regular Session DATE. APR 2 1 2026 TIME: 3:09 рм SENATE BY: 2055 BILLS & INDEX S. No. Introduced by Senator Camille A. Villar AN ACT PROVIDING SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR FREELANCERS AND REMOTE WORKERS THROUGH ACCESS TO EQUIPMENT, CONNECTIVITY, AND FINANCIAL LITERACY EXPLANATORY NOTE In the Philippines today, thousands of highly skilled and certified Filipinos remain trapped in low-paying, manual labor despite a booming global demand for digital talent. While the international gig economy offers a pathway to middle-class stability, these aspiring freelancers are sidelined not by a lack of competence, but by the prohibitive cost of industry-standard hardware. This stark reality underscores a broken system where global opportunities remain a luxury restricted to a privileged few, while the country's trained human capital remains idle and untapped. At its core, this bill is deeply rooted in the mandate of the Philippine Constitution, specifically in Section 9, Article II, which directs the State to promote full employment and a rising standard of living for all. Nevertheless, the country still struggles with the troubling prevalence of "Digital Poverty," where the lack of a ₽50,000 laptop-the essential tool of the modern worker-is the only barrier standing between a world-class Filipino professional and a high-paying global career. While the Konektadong Pinoy Act (RA 12234) and the Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act (RA 11927) have laid the infrastructure and training groundwork, a massive gap remains in providing the actual "tools of the trade". We are witnessing a surge in "certified but stranded" workers— graduates of government-

led digital bootcamps and TESDA courses who possess the skills but lack the financial means to purchase the high-spec equipment required by international clients. With these figures, the paradox intensifies: while the Philippines is heralded as a "global hub" for virtual assistants and IT professionals, the average citizen in a Class 4 or 5 municipality cannot afford the "entry fee" of a high-spec computer. The Freelancers and Remote Workers Startup Support Act will bridge this gap by providing a government-backed, tiered loan facility and subsidized connectivity vouchers. It ensures that the "contract-first" barrier is removed, allowing those with the talent and the intent to finally join the digital economy. The passing of this bill will bolster national digital exports and slash underemployment by redirecting capital straight to the hands of the workers, ensuring that no skill goes to waste while global opportunities wait. It mandates a simple, inclusive pathway-vouchers and equipment loans go to those with the will to work, preventing the waste of human potential that could be bringing foreign exchange into our local communities. Furthermore, its passage guarantees that more Filipinos can earn a competitive wage from their own homes, transforming digital potential into financial security for families and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 8 "Decent Work and Economic Growth". Ultimately, this measure transcends mere financial assistance; it is an act of economic decolonization that repatriates the Filipino dream. By equipping our workforce, we transition from being a nation that exports its people to a nation that exports its genius, all while keeping our families whole and our local communities vibrant. It creates a 'distributed economy' where the wealth of the global market flows directly into our barangays, fueling local consumption and sparking a grassroots digital renaissance. This bill is our commitment to a future where a Filipino's success is determined by their skill and ambition, not by the spec of their laptop or the balance of their bank account-honoring our constitutional duty to build a self-reliant economy that finally belongs to every Filipino, everywhere. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is urgently sought. CAMILLE A. VILLAR

THE TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIP RECEIVED REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES OFFICE DATE: APR 2 1 2026 First Regular Session TIME: 3:09 PM SENATE BY: - BILLS INDEX 2055 S. No.. Introduced by Senator Camille A. Villar AN ACT PROVIDING SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR FREELANCERS AND REMOTE WORKERS THROUGH ACCESS TO EQUIPMENT, CONNECTIVITY, AND FINANCIAL LITERACY 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 "Freelancers and

Remote Workers Startup Support Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Consistent with RA 11927 (Digital Workforce

Competitiveness Act) and RA 12234 (Konektadong Pinoy Act), the State recognizes the digital economy as a primary driver of national growth. It is the policy of the State to eliminate barriers to entry for the digital workforce by providing targeted financial intervention, ensuring that global opportunities are accessible to all Filipinos, regardless of initial economic status.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

a) Freelancer - refers to a self-employed individual who engages in independent contracts or gigs with multiple local or foreign clients and is not exclusively tied to a single employer. b) Remote Worker - refers to an individual who is formally employed by a company but performs their work duties outside of a traditional centralized office environment, often from home.

c) Accredited Service Provider - refers to any entity-including local micro Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and community-based providers authorized under RA 12234—accredited by the DICT to provide hardware or connectivity. d) Competent Authority - refers to the government agencies tasked with the implementation of this Act, namely the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Sec. 4. Integration with Existing Laws. - The Program established herein

shall serve as the primary mechanism to operationalize the "Credit Assistance" and "Subsidized Connectivity" mandates of RA 11927. All implementation shall be consistent with the competition-neutral framework of RA 12234.

Sec. 5. Components of the Program. - The Program shall consist of the

following components: a) Special Equipment Loan Facility. (1) A revolving loan fund is hereby established via the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP). (2) Tiered Loan Limits: To prevent a "privileged few" bias, loans shall be capped at: - Tier 1: Php 50,000 for general administrative/VA work - Tier 2: Php 100,000 for specialized technical work (e.g., Multimedia, AI development, Software Engineering) requiring high-spec hardware. b) Subsidized Broadband Access. (1) In line with the Konektadong Pinoy Act, the DICT shall provide a "Digital Connectivity Voucher" to beneficiaries. This voucher can be used with any registered ISP, ensuring that workers in remote areas can choose the provider with the best local coverage. c) Mandatory Capacity-Building Training. As a precondition for availing of the loan and subsidy, all beneficiaries shall be required to complete a free training program administered by DOLE and DICT. The training shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) Financial literacy, focusing on savings, investment, and debt management; (2) Digital safety and cybersecurity best practices; and (3) Basic business management for freelancers. Beneficiaries must complete training, but to prevent delays, provisional approval may be granted. Hardware may be released upon enrollment, provided the course is completed within sixty (60) days.

Sec. 6. Qualifications and Loan Eligibility. - To ensure the program reaches

those who need it most, an applicant must: a) Be a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and at least eighteen (18) years of age; b) Be registered with the DOLE's national registry for freelancers or any comparable government database; c) Evidence of Intent or Engagement: Provide either: (1) A valid contract of service/engagement; or (2) A Certificate of Completion from a recognized digital skills training program (DOLE or DICT as provided under Sec. 5 (c)) and a sworn "Statement of Intent to Practice."

Sec. 7. Government Loan Guarantee. - The National Government shall

guarantee 100% of the loan for Tier 1 and 80% for Tier 2. This guarantee lowers the credit risk for banks, ensuring they don't only lend to "low-risk, wealthy" applicants.

Sec. 8. The "Digital Inclusion" Clause. — To prevent the "privileged few"

scenario: a) At least 30% of the annual loan appropriation shall be reserved for applicants from MDR (Muncipality/District/Region) Class 4, 5, and 6 areas; and b) Application processes must be 100% digital and mobile-friendly to accommodate those without existing home computers.

Sec 9. Role of Government Agencies. -

a) DOLE - shall manage the registration of freelancers, ensure compliance with the training requirement, and monitor the overall welfare of beneficiaries.

b) DICT - shall accredit service providers (equipment and internet), develop the subsidized broadband program, oversee the digital safety training, and manage the National Freelancers Network. c) LBP and DBP - shall act as the primary implementing government financial institutions for the loan facility, conduct credit assessments, and disburse loan proceeds. d) Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) - shall assist in developing and providing the capacity-building training modules.

Sec. 10. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial

implementation shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DICT and DOLE. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary to ensure the program's sustainability beyond a single "startup" phase, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from

the effectivity of this Act, the DOLE and the DICT, in consultation with the DOF, LBP, DBP, and representatives from the freelance community, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,

and rules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,