08/10/2026
Trabaho sa Probinsiya, Hindi Lang sa Metro Manila.
Representatives Omar Vincent Duterte and Paolo Duterte have officially filed House Bill No. 11599, or the Provincial Jobs Tax Credit Act, with a clear and compassionate mission: no Filipino should ever have to choose between finding a decent job and staying close to the family they love. Patterned after successful hiring incentives in the United States and Singapore, the measure addresses the deep-seated economic disparity in the country where the National Capital Region captures over 31% of the national economy despite housing only about 12% of the population. Because of this heavy concentration of economic activity in the capital, millions of kababayans are forced to leave their homes and loved ones behind in the provinces just to make a living.
To bridge this divide and bring genuine, inclusive growth closer to home, the proposed legislation encourages both local and foreign businesses to expand their operations outside Metro Manila by offering income tax credits. Employers will receive a tax incentive equivalent to 25% of first-year wages for every provincial resident they hire for work. To ensure that progress reaches those who need it most, the bill grants a higher rate of 40% for hiring priority groups, including mature workers aged 40 and above, persons with disabilities, and members of households covered by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
To protect government revenues and ensure responsible implementation, the measure features strict safeguards. The tax credits apply only to net increases in an employer's workforce, requiring newly hired employees to render at least six months of service within a specific five-year implementation window. These provisions ensure that the program drives genuine, long-term employment growth rather than short-term hiring shifts.
Ultimately, this legislation ensures that economic progress is shared equitably across all regions so that every Filipino worker can build a stable future right where their roots are. Dahil ang oportunidad sa trabaho dapat abot-kamay sa bawat rehiyon, hindi na kailangang mandayuhan pa.
