SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 1577 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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The Philippines prescribes the use of tropical fabrics for uniforms of government officials 
and emplOYees, through Republic Act No. 9242.1 Its production and development at grassroots 
level, however, is not adequately supported with policy support and monetary assistance to 
workers, producers, and entrepreneurs in the country's weaving industry. Through the years, 
rural cottage industries have declined causing economic deprivation in flIral areas as workers 
were forced out of labor. 
Loom weaving is part of the Filipino cultural heritage that has been handed down from 
generations to generations but has be~n slowly dying. 
It is high time Congress enact a law that will provide protection to the weavers, workers, 
and small entrepreneurs in the loom weaving industry. The state support will not only create jobs 
in flIral areas but will ensure a steady supply of finished tropical fabrics and weaved textile 
products for domestic consumption and possibly for the international market. Its revival and 
promotion can also be integrated as part of the flIral immersion tourism program of the 
government. Further, this measure will set an environment for the revival of the weaving 
industry in the Philippines. 
An Act Prescribing the Use of the Philippine Tropical Fabrics for Uniforms of Public Officials and Employees 
and for Other Purposes. 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No.1577 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT 
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SEP -5 P 5 :45 
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PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE WELFARE OF THE WEAVERS, 
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WORKERS, AND SMALL ENTREPRENEURS IN THE LOOM WEAVING INDUSTRY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: . 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "Loom Weaving Industry Act." 
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SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term: 
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(A) 
"Weaver" means a person who works or operates a mechanical or manual loom 
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for the production of cloth; 
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(B) 
"Worker" means a worker who is engaged in any activity in the production of 
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cloth on a loom tool; and 
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(C) 
"Small entrepreneur" means a person engaged in buying cloth, yam, and fiber 
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produced from looms by weavers and workers, but whose total investment in plant and 
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machinery does not exceed one million pesos (I!1,OOO,OOO.OO). 
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SECTION 3. Creation of Loom Weaving Industry Council. - The Loom Weaving 
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Industry Council (here called "Council") is hereby created, which shall be composed of the 
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following: 
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(A) 
The head of the Garments and Textile Industry Development Office of the 
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Department of Trade and Industry, as chair of the Council; 
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(B) 
The head of the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the Department of 
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Science and Techuology; 
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(C) 
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Agriculture; 
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4 
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(D) 
(E) 
(F) 
The head of the Fiber Industry Development Authority of the Department of 
Representative from the Department of Finance; and 
Representative from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples; and 
Representative from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos. 
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SECTION 4. Formulation of National Welfare Policy. - Within one (1) year from the 
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effectivity of this Act, the Council shall formulate a National Welfare Policy, which shall 
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include, but not be limited to, the following provisions: 
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10 
(A) 
(B) 
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and workers; 
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(C) 
(D) 
(E) 
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members; 
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(F) 
Interest-free loans for loom weavers and workers; 
Supply of cotton yarn and other raw materials at subsidized rate for loom weavers 
Measures for stabilizing the price of yarn and fiber; 
PhilHealth, SSS, and Pag-ibig coverage for loom weavers and workers; 
Health care benefits for loom weavers and workers and their dependent family 
Educational grants, including vocational training, for the dependent children of 
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loom weavers and workers; 
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(0) 
Measures for the revival of the loom weaving industry in the countryside; and 
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(I-I) 
Such other welfare measures as the Council may deem necessary. 
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The Council shall implement the measures provided under the National Welfare Policy. 
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SECTION 5. Appropriations. - The amount of Fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00) is 
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hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury for the initial implementation of 
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this Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be 
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appropriated as a distinct and separate item. 
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SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
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effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Trade and Industry, in consultation with the Department 
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of Science and Technology, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Finance, the 
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National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and the National Commission on Muslim 
3 
Filipinos, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act. 
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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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pUblication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation . 
. , . 
Approved, 
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