(Usplash)




Quezon City 5th district Rep. PM Vargas recognizes the need to create what he calls "dignified opportunities" for former prisoners or ex-convicts. For this reason, the neophyte congessman filed House Bill (HB) No.1681, or the proposed Act instituting the former prisoner's employment program and appropriating funds therefor. The measure's propose is to provide potential paid work for former prisoners as a crucial part of their societal reintegration. "Offenders face a variety of challenges after they are released from prison--stigma from having been incarcerated, and discrimination, often in employment due to deprivation in terms of education. Most of these challenges hinder their ability to become law-abiding citizens," read the explanatory note of HB No.1681. "When they fail to become law-abiding citizens because of these barriers, institutions need to take an active role for greater reforms, and for second chances," it further read. The Vargas bill creates the Office of Employment Opportunities for Former Prisoners under the Department of Justice (DOJ). "The proposed office is directed to draft and implement provisions and policies for the  and employment of former prisoners," the measure stated. Furthermore, HB  No.1681, which is currently pending before the House Committee on Labor and Employment, seeks to provide incentives to private establishments that will hire former prisoners. "Business establishments that will employ former prisoners upon the effectivity of this act shall be entitled to an additional deduction from their gross income, equivalent to 15 percent of the total amount paid as salaries and wages to former prisoners, subject  to Section 4 of the National Internal Revenue Code," it said. Through this, the bills aims to to provide support to ex-offenders and secure that they establish productive and crime-free lives in the community.