The House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means has endorsed a bill seeking to deter fraud in government transactions by making it mandatory for all public agencies to use special security paper for receipts, invoices, licenses and other vital transaction documents.

Authored by Buhay Reps. Irwin Tieng, Carissa Cosculluela and Rene Velarde, House Bill 6768 has been calendared for second reading debates on the floor.

House Bill 6768 requires all government agencies, including local government units and state-owned and -controlled corporations, to use security paper made from indigenous materials for important transaction documents.   Water marked security papers may also be used.

Tieng said Buhay party-list believes that the measure would enhance revenue collection and prevent tax fraud “usually perpetrated through the use spurious government receipts, invoices, permits, clearances and other official papers and documents.

He added that the bill would also help guarantee full accounting and proper documentation of all government transactions.

On the other hand, Velarde said abaca and other indigenous materials may be used by government agencies.