THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
Explanatory Note 
Sec. 14 of Article XI11 of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall 
protect working women by providing safe and healthful working conditions, taking into 
account their maternal functions, and such facilities and opportunities that will enhance 
their welfare and enable them to realize their welfare and enable them to realize their 
full potential in service of the nation 
Filipinos, past and present, have proven their capabilities in all fields of human 
endeavor-in private business, in the professions, in the arts, in education, in civic work 
and in public service. As a result, the Constitution further 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. Thus, in order to help our economy recover, the full potential of 
every Filipino must be realized. Every Filipino must be given a chance to be productive 
and play his or her part in building a nation we can all be proud of. Every one must be 
given a chance, especially women. 
This bill seeks to empower women by giving them the necessary assistance in 
order to attain their full potential in the service of the nation. 
EJERCITO ESTMDA 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator 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 Representative of the Philippine in 
Congress assembled. 
SECTION I. Short W e .  - This Act shall be known as the “Women 
Empowerment in Enterprises Act” 
SECTION 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 full potential in order for them 
to play their role in nation-building and serve the nation. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For puvose 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. 
SECTION 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 the subsequent 
sections of this Act. 


, SECTION 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. 
SECTION 6. Educational Assistance. - The Secretary shall, with the aid and 
cooperation of the Secretary of Education, Culture and Spoyts, provide scholarship and 
educational assistance: 
a) to encourage women to participate in the processes of local and national 
government, and to stimulate the interest of women in business; 
b) to prepare women for involvement in government and business; 
c) to provide opportunities for women to gain practical experience in government 
and business through internship or on-the-job apprenticeships while in the 
school; and 
d) to identify women with leadership potential to serve as role models, and to 
assist such women in furthering their educational and obtaining suitable 
positions ih the public or private sector. 
The Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports shall take the interest of women 
in consideration, especially their development in enterprise, in adopting curricula, 
policies and guidelines for secondary and post-secondary education. 
SECTION 7. lnformation Assistance. - The Department shall create and 
establish a local resource centers in its provincial offices which offer to women 
inter'ested in careers in business, government, or related fields: 
a) basis courses in accounting, bookkeeping, and marketing practices, and other 
b) workshops, informational materials, career counseling, and assistance in the 
courses; and 
local community 
SECTION 8. Establishment of a Committee. - The Secretary shall establish a 
Women in Enterprise Assistance and Advisory Committee. 
SECTION 9. Composition. - The Committee shall be composed of Secretary 
as the Chairman and eight (8) members appointed by the said Secretary, including: 
a) One (I) 
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, Culture and Sports, 
and 
d) Three (3) members of the general public, of whom at least two (2) shall be 
engaged in an enterprise as an owner or part owner. 
SECTION 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 in the 
b) study and recommend ways to empower women in the field of business and 
c) identify areas around the country where women may excel nor only in the 
d) approve and disapprove application of women candidates applying for any 
e) develop a criteria for identifying the women who are eligible to avail of the 
province of business and trade; 
trade; 
field of business and trade but also in career service in government; 
assistance under this Act; 
assistance under this Act; and 
9 formulate the necessary rules and regulations 
SECTION 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 be 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. 
SECTION 12. Meetings. - The Committee shall meet not less than four (4) 
times a year or at the call of the Secretary. 
SECTION 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 
Govern men t . 
SECTION 14. Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such 
sum as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated for 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. 
SECTION 15. Separability Clause. - If any provisions, or part hereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 16. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order rule of regulation contrary to or 
inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 17. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,