The measure seeking to grant indigent job applicants a 20 percent discount when paying fees and charges for certain government certificates and clearances is inching closer toward enactment.
Embodied in the proposed Kabalikat sa Hanapbuhay Act, the measure was approved by the 1-PACMAN Party-list Rep. Mikee Romero-chaired House Committee on Poverty Alleviation on Wednesday, March 8.
Also approved by the panel was the measure's corresponding committee report.
This development came a month after Romero formed a technical working group (TWG) to harmonize and consolidate nine bills seeking such benefit for indigent Filipinos.
The nine bills are House Bill (HB) Nos. 367, 2533, 3048, 3533, 3604, 4762, 4828, 5553, and 5792.
The proposed Kabalikat sa Hanapbuhay Act institutionalizes a 20 percent discount on fees and charges for barangay clearance; National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance, police clearance; medical certificate; Civil Service Commission (CSC) certificate of eligibility; and other documentary requirements issued by the government that may be required by employers from indigent job seekers.
Under the proposal, an Inter-Agency Coordinating and Monitoring Committee will be created to ensure the implementation of the 20 percent discount.
Representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), among others, have expressed their support for the enactment of the measure.