Solons bat for abolition of ‘strict’ dress code for Pinoys visiting gov’t offices

To enable simple folk, the poor, seniors and disabled easier access to frontline public services, four administration lawmakers have filed a bill that would cast aside the “strict” dress codes at government offices.

House Bill 6286 filed by Representatives Arlene Bag-ao, Leni Robredo, Bolet Banal and Teddy Baguilat would allow any Filipino to access frontline government services even when they transact with public officials wearing the simplest of clothes.

Covered by the measure are government offices which are involved in the application for any privilege, right, permit, reward, license, concession, or for any modification, renewal, or extension of a certain application or permit.

“Strict dress code,” meanwhile, refers to the rules and regulations prescribing a particular clothing or footwear that effectively prevents citizens from accessing frontline services from government offices and agencies, or attending public meetings.

Under the measure, otherwise known as the proposed “Open Door Policy Act of 2015,” government institutions offering frontline services are prohibited from imposing a strict dress code which would limit the type of citizens who could transact with them, provided that the attire of the client is not integral or essential to the transactions being undertaken.

Failure to comply with the bill’s provisions would be tantamount to gross neglect of duty and shall constitute grounds for administrative and disciplinary sanctions against any public officer or employee who knowingly imposes a strict dress code.

In pushing for the bill’s passage, the administration lawmakers noted that strict dress codes “discriminate” against poor Filipinos who are unable to buy clothing or footwear that would conform to the regulations set by certain government agencies.

The imposition of a dress code, they said, hinder many ordinary citizens from seeing how government works for them and from being involved in development initiatives.

“In the interest of social justice and equality, unnecessary prescriptions in attire in government offices for citizens must be dismantled,” the lawmakers said. — ELR, GMA News