FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
8 .IUL 10 t‘ 
li1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 13, Section 9 provides: 
“The State shall, by law, and for the common good, undertake, in 
cooperation with the private sector, a continuing program of urban land reform 
and housing which will make available at affordable cost, decent housing and 
basic services to under-privileged and homeless citizens in urban centers and 
resettlement areas. It shall also promote adequate employment opportunities to 
such citizens. In the implementation of such program the State shall respect the 
rights of small property owners.” 
This bill aims to strengthen the support base of Nonprofit Organizations which are 
building homes for the less fortunate. It will also give minors, not only the technical construction 
skills that building homes may bring, but also the uplifting moral value of working for social 
causes. 
IRIAMDEFE 
d$f&++J+Z&l 
SORS 
TIA 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
8 JlL 10 ? 2  :Ol 
Second Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PERMITTING CERTAIN MINORS TO WORK AS VOLUNTEERS FOR NONPROFIT 
ORGANIZATIONS CONSTRUCTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Minors aged Fourteen Through Seventeen Permitted to Work as 
Volunteers for Nonprofit Organizations Constructing Affordable Housing; Prohibited Acts. - 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, rule, or regulation, minors who are between the ages 
of fourteen and seventeen shall be permitted to work as volunteers for nonprofit organizations 
engaged in the construction of affordable housing as determined by the Secretary of Labor 
Subject to the following provisions: 
A. That under no circumstances shall a minor be permitted to work in a project 
involving the construction of affordable housing that is in any way associated with a profit 
making commercial enterprise; 
B. That no minor shall operate, perform maintenance, clean, inspect, work in, about, or 
in connection with any power driven machinery involved in the construction of affordable 
housing; 
C. That no minor shall engage in the construction of affordable housing without the 
safety equipment required by law; 
D. That no minor shall be permitted to work as a volunteer in the construction oE 
affordable housing except under the direct supervision of an adult; 
E. That no minor shall be exposed to hazardous waste products or other hazardous 
substances: 
F. That 110 iniiior shall be permitted to work on any excavation, scaffolding or roofing; 
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G. That no minor shall be permitted to work: 
(1) During School Hours; 
(2) Before Seven O’clock in the morning; 
(3) After Seven O’clock in the evening; 
(4) For more than five consecutive hours without a half-hour break, and 
(5) For more than eighteen hours per week when school is in session. 
SECTION 2. Insurance. - The nonprofit organization engaged in the construction of 
affordable housing shall secure liability insurance to provide compensation for all injuries, 
including, but not limited to, occupational illness, sustained by minors working voluntarily in the 
construction of affordable housing. The insurance required by this section shall have coverage 
limits of at least One Million Pesos per Occurrence, at least One Million Pesos aggregate per 
year and Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos for Property Damage. 
SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
accordingly. 
SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is 
declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not 
afkcted thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect afier fifreen (15) days 
following its publication in the Oflcial Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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