FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
1 
7 
,JU- -3 
First Regular Session 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Senate Bill NO. 6 3 5 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 14 mandates the state to recognize the 
role of women in nation-building. This mandate requires the State to give women 
opportunities that will enhance their welfare and realize their full potential in the 
service of the nation. 
In order to help our economy recover, the 111 potential of every Filipino 
must be realized. Every Filipino must be given a chance to be productive and to 
play his or her part in building a nation we can all be proud of. Every one must be 
given a chance notwithstanding the person's gender, age, or creed. 
This bill seeks to empower women in business enterprise by giving them 
the necessary assistance to attain their fullest potential in the field of trade and 
business. 
Considering the foregoing, the early passage of this proposed measure is 
earnestly solicited. 
J 
GO 
JER ITOESTRADA 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
& -:3 
:: ': 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
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S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. 635 
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___ 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
EMPOWERING WOMEN 
BY 
PROVIDING THEM WITH 
FINANCIAL, 
EDUCATIONAL, AND INFORMATION ASSISTANCE IN ORDER FOR THEM 
TO EXCEL IN COMMERCE AND TRADE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Represenfafives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Tifle. - This Act shall be known as the "Women 
Empowerment in Enterprise Act." 
SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. - In accordance with the mandate of the 
Constitution, it is declared a State policy to grant women assistance and 
opportunities in enterprise that will enhance their welfare and realize their 
potential in order for them to play their role in nation-building and serve the 
nation. 
SEC 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the terms: 
a) "Secretary" refers to the Secretary of Labor and Employment; 
b) "Department" refers to the Department of Labor and Employment; and 
c) "Committee" refers to the Women in Enterprise Assistance and 
Advisory Committee. 
SEC 4. Developmenf Program. - The Secretary shall adopt and 
implement a Women in Enterprise Development Program which provides women 
with financial, educational and information assistance, as provided for in the 
subsequent sections of this Act. 
SEC 5. Financial Assistance. - The Secretary shall provide financial 
assistance to women: 
a) to support the creation of small to medium-size business in which 
women can readily participate; 


b) to foster investment in business substantially owned or managed by 
women; and 
c) to enable such women to further their education. 
SEC 6. Educational Assistance - The Secretary shall, with the aid and 
cooperation of the Secretary of Education, provide scholarship and educational 
assistance: 
a) to prepare women to participate in the processes of local and 
b) national government, and to stimulate the interest of women in 
business: 
c) to prepare women for involvement in government and business; 
d) to provide opportunities for women to gain practical experience in 
government and in business through internships or on-the-job 
apprenticeships while in the school; and 
e) to identify women with leadership potential to serve as role models, 
and to assist such women in furthering their education and obtaining 
suitable positions in the public or private sector. 
The Secretary of Education shall take the interest of women in consideration, 
specially their development in enterprise, in adopting curricula, policies and 
guidelines for secondary and post-secondary education. 
SEC 7. lnformafion Assistance - The Department shall create and 
establish a local resource centers in its provincial offices which offer to women 
careers in business, government, or related fields: 
a) basic courses in accounting, bookkeeping, and marketing practices, and 
other courses: and 
b) workshops, informational materials, career counseling, and assistance in 
the local community. 
SEC 8. Estab/isishment of a Committee. - The Secretary shall establish a 
Women in Enterprise Assistance and Advisory Committee. 
SEC 9. Composition. - The Committee shall be composed of the 
Secretary as the Chairman and eight (8) members appointed by the said 
Secretary, including: 
a) One (1) representative of a labor organization; 
b) Two (2) representatives of the Department of Labor and Employment; 
c) Two (2) representatives of the Department of Education and 


d) Three (3) members of the general public, of whom at least two (2) shall 
be women engaged in an enterprise as an owner or part owner. 
SEC I O .  Functions of the Committee. - The Women in Enterprise 
Assistance and Advisory Committee shall have the following functions: 
a) make recommendations regarding prevention of gender discrimination 
b) study and recommend ways to empower women in the field of 
c) identify areas around the country where women may excel not only in 
the field of business and trade but also in career service in 
government; 
in the province of business and trade; 
business and trade; 
d) approve or disapprove application of women candidates; 
e) applying for any assistance under this Act; 
f) develop a criteria for identifying the women who are eligible to avail of 
the assistance given under this Act; and 
g) formulate the necessary rules and regulations. 
SEC 11. Term of Office. - Members of the Committee shall be appointed 
for a term of office of three (3) years, except that of the members first appointed, 
three (3) shall be appointed for a term of one (1) year, two (2) shall appointed for 
a term of two (2) years, and two (2) shall be appointed for a term of three (3) 
years, as determined by the Secretary. 
SEC 12. Meetings. - The Committee shall meet not less than four (4) 
times a year or at the call of the Secretary. 
SEC 13. Compensation.- Members of the Committee shall be 
compensated at a rate equivalent to an employee of the National Government 
occupying a salary grade 25 position, except those already employed by the 
Philippine Government. 
SEC 14. Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such 
Sums as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the 
National Treasury. Thereafter, the sums necessary for the continuous operation 
of the centers shall be included in the annual appropriations of the Department of 
Labor and Employment. 
SEC 15. Separabilify Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 


SEC 16. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, 
modified or amended accordingly. 
SEC 17. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,