The measure seeking to grant indigent job applicants a 20 percent discount when paying fees and charges for certain government certificates and clearances has moved forward in the House of Representatives.
This, after the 1-PACMAN Party-list Rep. Mikee Romero-chaired House Committee on Poverty Alleviation formed a technical working group (TWG) for the purpose of crafting a substitute measure of several bills batting for such discount.
Romero, during the committee hearing on the related bills Tuesday, Feb. 7, said that Pampanga 4th district Rep. Ana York Bondoc will head the TWG. Bondoc is a vice chairperson of the poverty alleviation panel.
The TWG was tasked to consolidate a total of nine bills, namely House Bill (HB) Nos. 367, 2533, 3048, 3533, 3604, 4762, 4828, 5553, and 5792.
Romero urged all government agencies concerned to submit to the committee the amount they charge for their respective certificates and the income they would miss in the implementation of the proposed 20 percent discount if and when the measure is enacted.
Representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), among others, expressed support for the enactment of the proposal, which aims to reduce the financial burden of indigents seeking gainful employment to become productive members of society.
Romero is a former deputy speaker.