Senator Lito Lapid has filed a bill that would grant a 20 percent discount to indigent job applicants when it comes to paying fees and charges for certain certificates and clearances issued by government agencies for employment purposes.

“Nais po nating bigyan ng patas na oportunidad ang ating mga naghihikahos na kababayan na madaling makahanap ng trabaho. Pero hindi mangyayari ito kung papasanin pa nila ang nagtataasang singil ng mga ahensya ng ating pamahalaan bilang bayad sa mga certificates, clearances at iba pa (We would like to give equal opportunity to our citizens who are having a hard time finding jobs. But this will not happen if they will carry the burden of the rising price of agency fees of the government to pay for certificates, clearances, and others),” Lapid said.

“Kaya hinihiling ko sa aking mga kasamahan dito sa Senado na madaliin na natin ang pagpasa ng panukalang Senate Bill No. 2382 (That's why I'm asking my colleagues here in Senate to quickly pass SB No. 2382),” he added.

The senator said work opportunities are seen as one of the prospective windows that can help improve the well-being of disadvantaged citizens and their families' quality of life. Therefore, availing of productive employment opportunities is essential for achieving poverty reduction and sustainable economic and social development.

Once enacted, the Indigent Job Applicant Discount Act seeks to encourage and assist indigent job seekers in securing gainful employment by providing them a 20 percent discount in the payment of fees and charges for specific clearances and certificates issued by some government agencies that are required for pre-employment applications.

The measure will cover clearances issued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), marriage and live birth certificates from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and transcripts of records and authenticated copies of diplomas from state universities and colleges.

It also includes a 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 Filipino overseas workers; Tax Identification Number (TIN); and, other documentary requirements issued by the government that employers may require from indigent job applicants.

Qualified beneficiaries include those whose income falls below the official poverty threshold, and as identified and certified by the Philippine PSA based on the criteria set under the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) as established under Republic Act (RA) No. 11315. The city or municipality shall issue the certificates of indigency based on the latest CBMS data.

Under the bill, any public officer or employee who refuses or fails to provide the benefit granted to the indigent job applicant shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not less than P5,000 but not more than P20,000. Prosecution for an offense shall be without prejudice to any liability for violation of any other existing laws, including civil service law, rules, and regulations.

A job applicant who misrepresents or falsifies any document to avail of benefits or abuses the privilege granted them shall be prosecuted and punished in accordance with the Revised Penal Code and shall suffer perpetual disqualification from availing of the privileges under this Act.

A counterpart measure from the House of Representatives was passed on third and final reading last May 22.