FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC)  
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)  
Third Regular Session 
)  
SENA'I'A,.. 
r 
S. B. No. ;:st>12 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: 
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill health consciousness among them. 
There are several health problems associated with computer use. All of them are 
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avoidable, through the use of ergonomic principles. Ergonomics is the science of fitting the job 
to the worker, rather than expecting workers to accommodate themselves to uncomfortable 
equipment, postures, and work organization. 
As with any task done repeatedly, working on a computer for long periods of time can 
cause inflammation of tendons, nerve sheaths and ligaments and damage to· soft tissues. 
Depending on an individual's sensitivity to the repeated movements of keyboarding, the 
cumulative effect can be disabling. Resulting conditions are called cumulative trauma disorders 
(CTDs). Different types of forearm and wrist CTDs from computer use are carpal tunnel 
syndrome, tenosynovitis, epicondylitis, tendinitis, DeQuervain's disease and ganglionic cysts. 
Neck and shoulder pain and stiffness can occur from improper placement of the computer 
monitor, mouse or document you are working from. If these items are not placed correctly, the 
muscles of the neck and shoulders are constantly working to keep the head and anns in an 
awkward position. Many people who use computers for prolonged periods of time complain of 
eyestrain, eye fatigue, eye irritation and blurred vision. This bill seeks to infonn employees about 
the ways to avoid health risks related to computer use and protect them from it. 
. ~'-
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~IRIAM DEF'lSSOR S~TI¥O 


,'./ . 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC)  
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)  
Third Regular Session 
)  
SENATE  
S.B.No. 
3512  
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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CREATING OFFICE ERGONOMIC STANDARDS TO 
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ADDRESS THE HEALTH RISKS RELATED 
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TO COMPUTER USE IN THE WORKPLACE 
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 "Office Computer Ergonomics 
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Act of2009." 
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SECTION 2. Office ergonomic standards. ­
The following standards shall be required for 
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employers who have employees who use computers in their workplace: 
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(a) Chairs must be adjustable to allow the user to move the seat up and down depending 
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on the height ofthe user; 
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(b) For employees who are required to copy or to type from another document, a 
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document holder must be provided; 
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(c) Computer monitors must be positioned to lessen glare corning from external sources; 
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(d) The rear of computer monitors should be at least three feet from another employee; 
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( e) Defective computer screens that flicker or wave must be repaired as soon as possible 
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and the employee must not be forced to work with a defective computer monitor; 
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(f) Employees who regularly work in front of computer monitors must be allowed to rest 
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their eyes on. a regular basis; 
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(g) Every company must hold an ergonomic standard seminar where a representative 
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from the Department of Health shall talk about the details of this Act and give other 
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means to lessen the health strain caused by computers in the workplace. 
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SECTION 3. Duty ofthe Department ofLabor and Employment. - The Department of 
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Labor and Employment is required to verify the compliance of employers with the provisions of 
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this Act. 
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SECTION 4. Penalties. 
The Department of Labor and Employment is empowered to 
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establish and assess penalties or fines against any person for violations of this Act or regulations 
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adopted under this Act. In no case shall the fine exceed one hundred thousand pesos 
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(PlOO,OOO.OO). 
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SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 7. 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, 
labgl91009 
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