EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS ) q
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Repr

House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the Philippines Statistics Authority, sixty percent of the population 15
years old and over are in the labor force. The total population 15 years old and over was
yetmated at 72'5 million wherein the number of persons who were in the labor force was
reported at 43.7 million. The country's employment rate is at 94.8 percent

Further, the number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who worked abroad at any
time during the period April to September 2018 was estimated at 2.3 million

These numbers just show that labor plays a very important role in our economy.
However, despite this, many Filipinos still do not have a working knowledge of the rights of
labor and what they are entitled to. This is why itis important to have labor education in the
curriculum.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested

well UM

IS B. RO!



EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

tive Rufus B. Rodriguez

Introduced by Representa

House Bill No. 3736

AN ACT
MANDATING THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION TO INCLUDE LABOR
EDUCATION AS AN ELECTIVE IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION CURRICULUM

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

SECTION 4. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “Labor Education Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect the rights of workers
and promote their welfare

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

(a) Higher Education Curriculum shall refer to the general education curriculum designed
for students taking up courses leading to a degree;

(b) Labor Education shall refer to the teaching of labor rights, workers’ welfare and
benefits, core labor standards, labor laws and regulations, the national and global
labor situation, labor market concems, labor issues, overseas work and related
problems, the nature of human labor, the role of labor in the self-realization of the
human being, the foundations of the dignity of labor and other topics related to labor
and employment;

SEC. 4. Inclusion of Labor Education as an Elective in the Higher Education
Curriculum. - Pursuant to its mandate under Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as
the “Higher Education Act of 1994, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), is hereby
mandated to develop a labor education course as an elective in the higher education
curriculum.

SEC. 5. Appropriations. - Such sums as may be necessary for the initial implementation of
this Act shall be taken from the current year’s appropriations of CHED. Thereafter, the
amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, decrees, instructions, rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby amended,
repealed or modified accordingly,

SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,