EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
s. No. 673
of I'.JC £'rfrrln ip
•19 
JUL 22 P2117
__________ Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REyjjyLA, JR. 
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(
AN ACT
AMENDING ARTICLE 83 OF THE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 442, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS 
AMENDED
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II Section 8 of the 1987 Constitution states that, "The State affirms labor 
as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of workers and promote 
their welfare,"
Presidential Decree No. 442, otherwise known as the "Labor Code of the 
Philippines" was promulgated in 1974 when traditional work arrangements such as 
attendance in workplace and hours of work were still observed. With the advancement 
in information, communication and technology, the employees can work outside the 
premises of the workplace and sustain working beyond eight (8) hours without 
sacrificing its quality.
This was, in fact, recognized by the Department of Labor and Employment 
(DOLE) when it issued Department Advisory No. 2, Series of 2009 entitled, "Guidelines 
on the Adoption of Flexible Work Arrangements" where it identified some flexible work 
arrangements that may be adopted by employers including compressed workweek 
where the normal number of working days in a week is reduced but the total number 
of working hours remains; and flexi-holidays where the employees agree to avail the 
holidays at some other days. These were echoed in the subsequent Department


Advisory No. 4, Series of 2010 entitled, "Guidelines on the Implementation of Flexible 
Work Arrangements and the Exemption From the Nightwork Prohibition for Women 
Employees in the Business Process Outsourcing Industry" where it added gliding or 
flexi-time schedule where the employees are required to complete the core workhours 
in the establishment but are free to determine their arrival and departure time.
In view of the various technologies that the employees can utilize in performing 
their work and the various circumstances that can allow them to be more productive, 
this measure seeks to legislate the adoption of voluntary work arrangement by 
amending Article 83 of the Labor Code. Such arrangements will not only save time 
and resources of both employees and employers but will also contribute to the other 
aspects of our economy such as saving the cost of traffic congestion. 
Most 
importantly, they will allow employees to achieve work life balance making them more 
energized, satisfied, fulfilled, and productive.
This measure was already approved on Third Reading by the Senate and the 
House of Representatives in the 17th Congress but remained pending in the Bicameral 
Conference Committee.
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RAMO^|/B ^ ^  REVILLA, JR.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
S. No. 673
fri, ■ '
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Vi'- 
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T9 
JUL22 P2T7
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
AMENDING ARTICLE 83 OF THE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 442, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS 
AMENDED
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representative o f the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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Section 1. Article 83 of the Philippine Labor Code, as amended, is hereby 
amended to read as follows:
"Article 83. Normal Hours o f W o rk .-l\\e  normal hours 
of work of any employee shall not exceed eight (8) hours a 
day.
"Health personnel in cities and municipalities with a 
population of at least one million (1,000,000) or in hospitals 
and clinics with a bed capacity of at least one hundred (100) 
shall hold regular office hours for eight (8) hours a day, for 
five (5) days a week, exclusive of time for meals, except 
where the exigencies of the services require that such 
personnel work for six (6) days or forty-eight (48) hours, in 
which 
case, 
they 
shall 
be entitled 
to an 
additional 
compensation of at least thirty percent (30%) of their regular 
wage for work on the sixth day. For purposes of this Article,
"health personnel" shall include resident physicians, nurses,


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nutritionists, 
dietitians, 
pharmacists, 
social 
workers, 
laboratory 
technicians, 
paramedical 
technicians, 
psychologists, midwives, attendants and all other hospital or 
clinic personnel.
"ARTICLE 83-A. 
ADOPTION OF VOLUNTARY 
WORK 
ARRANGEMENT. 
-  
WHEN 
NATIONAL 
EMERGENCY REQUIRES OR THE PARTIES MUTUALLY 
AGREE, THE EMPLOYER AND THE EMPLOYEE MAY 
ADOPT 
A 
VOLUNTARY 
WORK 
ARRANGEMENT: 
PROVIDED, THAT HOURS OF WORK SHALL NOT 
EXCEED 
FORTY-EIGHT 
(48) 
HOURS 
A 
WEEK: 
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT IT SHALL NOT RESULT IN 
THE DIMINUTION OF EXISTING BENEFITS AND THE 
RIGHT 
TO 
OVERTIME 
PAY 
CONSISTENT 
WITH 
ARTICLE 87 OF THE LABOR CODE, NIGHT SHIFT 
DIFFERENTIAL AND OTHER BENEFITS SHALL NOT BE 
VIOLATED."
Sec. 2. Rules and Regulations. -  The Secretary of Labor and Employment shall 
promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations within ninety (90) days 
from the effect!vity of this Act.
Sec. 3. 
Separability Clause. -  If any part of this Act shall be held 
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts not otherwise affected thereby shall remain in 
force and effect.
Sec. 4. Repealing Clause.-k\\ laws, decrees, resolutions, orders, or ordinances 
or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
accordingly.
Sec. 5. 
Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or one newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,