<x
Republic of the Philippines AS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RECEIVED @

Quezon City, Philippines

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2467

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REP. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Constitution, Article 11, Section 14 provides:

Section 14, The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall
ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men

Women have historically been underrepresented in scientific and engineering
‘occupations, and although progress has been made over the last several decades, there
is still room for improvement. Female students eam fewer bachelors, masters, and
doctoral degrees in science and engineering. Among the recent bachelors of science
and bachelor of engineering graduates, women are less likely to be in the labor force, to
be employed full-time, and to be employed in their field than are men, Moreover, a
substantial salary gap exists between men and women with doctorates in science and
engineering. Limited access is the first hurdle faced by women seeking industrial jobs in
science and engineering.

While progress has been made in recent years, common recruitment and hiring
practices that make extensive use of traditional networks often overlook the available
pool of women. Once on the job, many women find paternalism, sexual harassment,
allegations of reverse discrimination, different standards for judging the work of men and
women, lower salary relative to their male peers, inequitable job assignments, and other
aspects of a male-oriented culture that are hostile to women, They, to a greater extent
than men, find limited opportunities for advancement, particularly for moving into
management positions, and the number of women who have achieved the top levels in
corporation is much lower than expected

This bill seeks to establish a commission that would examine these issues and
help:

a) to focus attention on the importance of eliminating artificial barriers to the
recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in the fields of science,
engineering, and technology, and in all employment sectors of the Philippines;

b) to promote workforce diversity;

©) to sensitize employers to the need to recruit and retain women and minority
scientists, engineers, and computer specialists;

d) to encourage the replication of successful recruitment and retention programs by
universities, corporations, and agencies having difficulties in employing women in
the fields of science, engineering, and technology.

MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO
Representative
1st District, City of Marikina


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo.__ 2467

INTRODUCED BY REP. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE COMMISSION ON THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN IN
SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Commission on the
Advancement of Women in Science, Engineering, and Technology Development Act.”

SEC. 2. Commission on the Advancement of Women in Engineering, Science and
Technology Development. - There is established a commission to be known as the
“Commission on the Advancement of Women in Science, Engineering, and Technology
Development" (in this Act referred to as the ‘Commission’

SEC. 3. Duty of the Commission. - The Commission shall review available research,
and if determined necessary by the Commission, conduct additional research to —

A. Identify the number of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities in the
Philippines in specific types of occupations in science, engineering, and
technology development;

B. Examine the preparedness of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities
to-

1, Pursue careers in science, engineering and technology development; and
2. Advance to positions of greater responsibility within the academia, industry,
and government;

C. Describe the practice and polices of employees and labor unions relating to the
recruitment, retention, and advancement of women, minorities, and individuals
with disabilities in the fields of science, engineering, and technology
development;

D. Identify the opportunities for, and artificial barriers to, the recruitment, retention,
and advancement of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities in the
fields of science, engineering, and technology development in academia,
industry, and govermnent;

FE. Compile a synthesis of available research on lawful practices, polices, and
programs that have successfully led to the recruitment, retention, and
advancement of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities in science,
engineering, and technology development;

F. Issue recommendations with respect to lawful policies that the government
(including Congress), academia, private industry can follow regarding the
recruitment, retention, and advancement of women, minorities, and individuals
with disabilities in science, engineering, and technology development;


G. Identify the disincentives for women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities to
continue graduate education in the fields of engineering, physics, and computer
science;

H, Identify university undergraduate programs that are successful in retaining
women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities in the fields of science,
engineering, and technology development; and

I. Identify the disincentives that lead to a disproportionate number of women,
minorities, and individuals with disabilities leaving the fields of science,
engineering, and technology development before completing their undergraduate
education.

SEC. 4, Membership. - The Commission shall be composed of six (6) members to be
appointed by the President as follows

A. Two (2) members from among for-profit entities that hire individuals in the fields
of engineering, science, or technology development;

B. Two (2) members from among institutions in education or academia in the fields
of life science, physical science, or engineering; and

C. Two (2) members from among non-governmental organizations, people's
organizations or any similar entities that promote and advance the welfare of
women, minorities and individuals with disabilities.

The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology shall automatically seat
as chairperson of the commission in an ex-officio capacity. Each member shall be
appointed for the life of the Commission. A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in
the manner in which the original appointment was made. Members shall not be paid by
reason of their service on the Commission. Each member shall receive travel expenses,
including per diem in an amount to be determined by existing law. A majority of the
members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

The Commission shall meet not fewer than five (5) times in connection with and
pending the completion of the report described in this Act. The Commission shall hold
additional meetings for such purpose if the Chairperson or a majority of the members of
the Commission requests additional meetings in writing.

SEC. 5. Directors and Staff of the Commission; Experts and Consultants. —

‘A. Director. - The Commission shall appoint and fix the pay of a Director and
additional personnel as the Commission considers appropriate

B. Experts and Consultants. - The Commission may procure temporary and
intermittent services to assist in the discharge of the Commission's functions.

SEC. 6. Powers of the Commission. -

A. Hearings and Sessions. - The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out
this act, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and
receive evidence as the Commission considers appropriate. The Commission
may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before it

B. Powers of Members and Agents. - Any member or agent of the Commission
may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action which the Commission is
authorized to take by this section.


C. Obtaining Official Data. - The Commission may secure directly from any
department or agency information necessary to enable it to carry out this Act.
Upon request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of that department
or agenoy shall furnish that information to the Commission.

D. Mails. - The Commission may use mails in the same manner and under the same
conditions as other departments and agencies of the government.

E. Contract Authority. - To the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts,
the Commission may contract with and compensate government and private
agencies or persons for the purpose of conducting research or surveys
necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its duties under this Act.

SEC. 7. Report, - Not later than one year after the date on which the initial appointments
are complete, the Commission shall submit to the President and the Congress a written
report containing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Commission
resulting from the study conducted under Section 3.

SEC. 8. Construction; Use of Information Obtained. - Nothing in this Act shall be
construed to require any non-governmental entities such as business, college or
university, foundation, or research organization fo provide information to the Commission
concerning such entity's personnel policies, including salaries and benefits, promotion
criteria, and affirmative action plans. No information obtained from any entity by the
Commission may be used in connection with any employment related litigation

SEC. 9. Termination; Access to Information. - The Commission shall terminate 30
days after submitting the reports required in this Act. On or before the date of the
termination of the Commission, the Commission shall provide to the Department of
Science and Technology the information gathered by the Commission in the process of
carrying out its duties under this Act. The department shall act as a central repository for
such information and shall make such information available to the public, including
making such information available through the Internet

SEC. 10. Review of information Provided by the Department of Science and
Technology and Other Agencies. -

‘A. Provision of information. - At the request of the Commission, the DOST and
any other department or agency shall provide to the Commission any
information determined necessary by the Commission to carry out its duties
under this Act, including-data on academic degrees awarded to women,
minorities, and individuals with disabilities in science, engineering, and
technology development and workforce representation and the retention of
women, minorities, individuals with disabilities in the fields of science,
engineering and technology development; and

B. Review of Information, -The Commission shall review any information provided
and shall include in the report required under Section 7 on how to correct any
deficiencies in the collection of the types of information described in that
subsection, and in the analysis of such data, which might impede the
characterization of the factors which affect the attraction and retention of
women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities in the field of science,
engineering, and technology development.

SEC. 11. Authorization of Appropriations. - These are authorized to be appropriated
to carry out this Act -
A. Three Million Pesos (P3,000,000.00) for the fiscal year during which this Act is
approved; and
B. Three Million Pesos (P3,000,000.00) for the next succeeding fiscal year.


SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the validity or constitutionality of the other provisions shall not be
affected thereby.

SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,