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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
(~!fJ;~ t1f I}:~ 13r(l'br~ 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 1927 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article XIII, Section '14, mandates the State to "protect working 
women by providing safe and healthful working conditions, taking into account their maternal 
functions, and such other facilities and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable 
them to realize their full potential in the service of the nation." 
Such provision would be ineffectual if women are not informed of their rights guaranteed 
by law. To this date, employers are not required by any law to furnish women pertinent 
information regarding their work conditions. 
This bill seeks to grant and strengthen the right of women to be informed of work 
conditions which affect their health, by providing punishment for employers who will deny such 
right.' 
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• This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 1927 
'13 
NOV 14 P4 :19 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
GRANTING WOMEN THE RIGHT TO KNOW WORK CONDITIONS 
AFFECTING THEIR HEALTH 
Be it enacted by the Senate' and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in ' 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Women's Protection Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect working 
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women by providing safe and healthful working conditions, taking into account their maternal 
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functions, and such other facilities and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable 
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them to realize their full potential in the service of the l1ation. To achieve this mandate, it is 
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declared a state policy to grant women the right to know work conditions which affect their 
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health. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act; the tern: 
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(A) 
"Employer" includes any person acting in the interest of an employer, directly or 
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indirectly. The term shall not include any labor organization or any of its officers or agents 
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except when acting as an employer; and 
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(B) 
"Secretary" refers to the Secretary of Labor and Employment. 
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SECTION 4. Required Information. -
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(A) 
The prospective employer shall furnish in writing the following information to all 
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women applications: 
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(I) 
The danger which workers are exposed to or might he exposed to; 
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(2) 
The medical and health benefits which workers are entitled to, including 
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maternity leave benefits and the availability of family plarming services; 
, 
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(3) 
The health hazards associated with this work, including hazards that may 
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affect their maternal functions; 
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(4) 
The availability of facilities for, women which are required under 
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Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, also known as the Labor Code 
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ofthe Philippines, Section 132. 
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(B) 
Women already employed prior to the effectivity of this Act shall likewise be . 
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furnished information required under paragraph (A) of this section .• 
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SECTION 5. Rules and Regulations. - Not later than sixty (60) days after the effectivity 
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of this Act, the Secretary of Labor and Employment shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
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regulations to implement this Act. 
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SECTION 6. Annual Report. - The Secretary shall submit an annual report to the 
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President. The report shall include the following: 
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(A) 
A list of work hazards, especiaLly those that affect women's maternal functions; 
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(B) 
A list of employers found to have violated any provision of this Act; and 
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(C) 
Rate of compliance of employers with the provisions of this Act. 
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SECTION 7. Penalty. - Any violation of Section 4 of this Act shall be punished with a 
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fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P I 0,000.00) but not more than Twenty Thousand 
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Pesos (P20,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than three (3) months but not more than six (6) 
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months, or both at the discretion of the court. If the offense is committed by a corporation, trust, 
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partnership, or association or entity. 
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SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof 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 9. 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 10. 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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