ACT-CIS Party-list Representative Jocelyn Pua Tulfo said that there is a need to “reinforce the role and legal mandate of the barangays” in implementing Republic Act 10361, or the Kasambahay Law. 

“Kinakailangan na lamang na paigtingin ang implementasyon nito gaya ng patuloy na pagtulong ng mga barangay officials,” Tulfo said. 

She said that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Interior and Local Government, and local government units must work together to monitor the implementation of the Kasambahay Law at the barangay level.

The implementing rules and regulations of the Kasambahay Law require employers to register and submit a copy of the employment contract to the barangay where they reside. 

“The employment relationship between the household and the household help or staff should be regarded as a special form of relationship imbued with the elements of mutual trust and confidence, present in each household,” Tulfo added. 

She said that under the law, barangays must have a copy of the DOLE standard employment contract, and that the registration and submission of these documents would help officials in monitoring the compliance of employers to labor laws, as well as n investigating abuse or theft in the household. 

Tulfo also said that the punong barangay, Social Security System, Pag-ibig, and PhilHealth can conduct a common registration of kasambahays in any barangay. 

The punong barangay is tasked to keep and update the kasambahay master list and submit reports on the registration to local government units. 

Photo Credit: Facebook.com/jocelyntulfoinaction