Indigent Job Seekers Assistance Act

Senate Office of the secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE MAY -4 P3:25 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECEIVED BY, SENATE Senate Bill No.. 2083 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT GRANTING TWENTY PERCENT (20%) DISCOUNT OR EXEMPTION FROM FEES AND CHARGES TO INDIGENT JOB SEEKERS FOR CERTAIN PRE-EMPLOYMENT DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES EXPLANATORY NOTE Article XII Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution states that the "State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all." In the Philippines, securing employment often requires the submission of multiple government-issued documents such as clearances, certificates, and identification records. While these are necessary to ensure public safety, accountability, and proper documentation, the cumulative cost of obtaining them can be costly, especially for individuals who are unemployed and financially constrained. Ironically, those who are most in need of employment are often the least able to afford the requirements needed to secure it. This proposed measure recognizes that access to employment should not be hindered by the inability to pay for mandatory documentation. By providing financial relief to indigent applicants, this measure aims to promote equal opportunity, reduce barriers to entry in the labor market, and support inclusive economic participation.

Ultimately, this bill is an investment in human capital. By enabling more Filipinos to access job opportunities, it contributes to work force development, economic productivity, and national growth. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. ERWINT. TULF

Senate Office of the Secretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 26 MAY -4 P3:26 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE Senate Bill No. 2083 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT GRANTING TWENTY PERCENT (20%) DISCOUNT OR EXEMPTION FROM FEES AND CHARGES TO INDIGENT JOB SEEKERS FOR CERTAIN PRE- EMPLOYMENT DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES 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

"Indigent Job Seekers Assistance Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy

of the State to promote full employment and equal access to 6 opportunities for all citizens. Toward this end, the State shall provide support mechanisms to indigent job seekers by reducing financial barriers associated with securing mandatory pre-employment documents required by government agencies and private employers.

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

a) Government Fees and Charges refer to all costs imposed by government agencies for the issuance of pre-employment documents, including processing, certification, and service fees;

b) Indigent Job Seeker refers to any Filipino citizen actively seeking employment who is certified as indigent in accordance with Section 4 of this Act. Household beneficiaries duly enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) under Republic Act No. 11310, known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act shall be automatically considered as indigent as an indigent job seeker under this Act; and c) Pre-Employment Documents refer to government- issued clearances, certificates, identifications, and other documentary requirements necessary for employment, as provided under Section 5 and 6 of this Act.

SEC. 4. Identification of Beneficiaries. - The Philippine Statistics

Authority (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" , shall validate the list of indigent households in the Listahanan of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to identify indigent individuals. The Local Social Welfare Development Officer (LSWDO) of the city/municipality or any equivalent unit of the municipality where the indigent jobseeker resides is hereby authorized to issue a Certificate of Indigency based on the latest CBMS data, the abovementioned criteria, and established guidelines, as proof of eligibility of jobseekers in availing the privileges provided for under this Act. Such certification shall be free of charge. First time jobseekers who avail of waived government fees and charges in the issuance of pre-employment documents under Republic Act No. 11261 or the "First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act" are not covered by this Act.

SEC. 5. Discount on Fees and Charges for Clearances and

Certificates - Indigent job seekers, whether here or abroad, shall be

entitled to a twenty percent (20%) discount on fees and charges for the following clearances and certificates requisite for pre-employment application: a) Barangay clearance from the applicant's place of residence; b) Clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI); c) Police Clearance from the Philippine National Police (PNP); d) Medical certificate for local employment from any government hospital licensed by the Department of Health (DOH), and medical certificate for foreign employment from any DOH-accredited medical facility for overseas workers and seafarers; e) Certificate of live birth and, if applicable, marriage certificate from the PSA; f) National Certificate and Certificate of Competency from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); g) Certificate of Civil Service Eligibility from the Civil Service Commission (CSC); and h) Other documentary requirements issued by any government agency that may be required by employers from indigent job seekers, as determined and approved by the Inter-Agency Coordinating and Monitoring Committee, established under Section 11 of this Act.

SEC. 6. Waiver of Fees and Charges for Pre-Employment

2 Documents - The fees and charges required to acquire the following pre-employment documents shall be waived: a) Tax Identification Number from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR); and b) Transcript of Records, Transfer Credentials, Authenticated Copy of Diploma, and Certificate of Good Moral Character from the State Universities and Colleges, and Local Universities and Colleges. The indigent job seeker can avail of the privileges of waived or discounted fees under this Act only once every six (6) months from each government agency.

SEC. 7. Prohibited Acts and Penalties. -

a) Any public officer or employee who refuses or fails to issue a Certificate of Indigency, or to provide the benefit granted to a qualified indigent job seeker in violation of Sections 4 and 5 of this Act shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00). b) A job seeker who misrepresents or falsifies any document to avail of benefits provided under this Act or abuses the privilege granted herein shall be prosecuted and punished in accordance with prevailing penal laws, and shall suffer perpetual disqualification from availing any of the benefits under this Act. The filing of an offense punishable under this Act shall be without prejudice to the filing of cases punishable under other existing laws, rules or regulations.

SEC. 8. Indigent Job Seekers Database. - The Public

2 Employment Service Office (PESO) in coordination with the LSWDO shall establish and maintain a database system containing an updated roster of all indigent jobseekers who availed of the benefits under this 5 Act. The PhilJobnet platform of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall serve as the monitoring mechanism to 9 record, monitor and report the availment of the benefits granted to indigent jobseekers.

SEC. 9. Non-Authority to Charge Fees. - This Act shall not be

construed as an implied authority for all government agencies to impose or collect charges and fees in relation to the discharge of their functions if no such authority is already granted under their respective charters or other relevant laws.

SEC. 10. Interpretation in Favor of the Indigent Job Seekers. - In

all cases, any ambiguity in the interpretation of the provisions of this Act shall be in favor of the indigent job seekers. No government agency or instrumentality shall issue unduly restrictive regulations which will render nugatory the benefits provided under this Act. Such shall constitute an administrative offense punishable under the Administrative Code and other pertinent laws.

SEC. 11. Inter-agency Coordinating and Monitoring Committee

- An Inter-Agency Coordinating and Monitoring Committee (IACMC) shall be established to coordinate and monitor the implementation of this Act. The Committee shall be composed of the following: a) Secretary of the DOLE or the authorized representative, as Chairperson;

b) Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) or the authorized representative, as Vice Chairperson; and c) The following officials or their duly authorized representatives as members: i. The Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW); ii. The National Statistician and Civil Registrar General of the PSA; iii. The Chief of the PNP; iv. The Director of the NBI; v. The Commissioner of BIR; vi. The Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); vii. The Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT); viii. The Secretary of the DOH; ix. The Chairperson of the CSC; x. The Director General of TESDA; xi. The Presidents of the Liga ng mga Barangay, League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), and League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP); and

xii. The Chairperson of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). The Committee shall have the following functions: a) To coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of this Act; b) To make recommendations for concerned agencies to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of services in providing the benefits for indigent job seekers under this Act; c) To identify pre-employment certificates and clearances; d) To review, and evaluate accordingly the list of clearances and certificates covered under this Act; and e) To submit an annual report to Congress on the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6)

months after the effectivity of this Act, the DOLE shall, in consultation with the DILG, DMW, PSA, PNP, NBI, BIR, DSWD, DICT, DOH, CSC, CHED, TESDA, Liga ng mga Barangay, LMP, LCP, NAPC, and NCIP, promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to implement this Act.

SEC. 13. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act

or part hereof be declared unconstitutional, the other provisions or parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and effective.

SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders,

issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent 35 with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,