EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. B. NO. 1513
20 
P 3 :22
(In Substitution of S.B Nos. 278, 1205, and 1218, taking into 
consideration of H.B. No. 4466)
Prepared jointly by the Committees on Higher, Technical and Vocational 
Education; and Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development, with 
Senators Lapid, Revilia, and Villanueva as authors
AN ACT INTEGRATING LABOR EDUCATION 
IN THE TERTIARY EDUCATION CURRICULUM
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Labor Education Act.”
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall afford protection to labor, promote 
full employment, ensure equal work opportunities regardless of sex, race or creed, 
and regulate the relations between workers and employers. The State shall assure 
the rights of workers to self-organization, collective bargaining, security of tenure, 
and just and humane conditions of work.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms - As used in this Act, the following terms are defined 
as follows:
(a) 
General Education refers to the portion of the curriculum that is common to all 
students regardless of their major or course.
(b) 
Tertiary Education Curriculum refers to the general education curriculum 
designed for students taking up courses in higher education institutions (HEIs) 
leading to a degree and courses in technical-vocational institutions (TVIs).
(c) 
Labor Education refers to the teaching of theories, concepts, and issues 
concerning labor, such as, but not limited to labor rights, dignity, economic 
welfare, and political participation.


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SEC. 4. Integration of Labor Education in Higher Education Curriculum. - All
public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) are mandated to:
(a) 
Integrate Labor Education topics into selected core general education (GE) 
subjects, as detailed in the appropriate issuances of the Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED), and include the discussion on the following:
(1) 
Labor rights and workers' welfare, as contained in labor laws and 
regulations in the core GE subject Understanding the Self, which discusses 
the nature of identity;
(2) 
(i) The role and contribution of labor to the national economy, (ii) national 
and global issues related to labor and employment such as, but not limited, 
to labor migration or overseas work, and (iii) minimum labor standards on 
wage, overtime pay, night shift differential, holiday pay, leaves, and basic 
income taxation in the country, in the core GE subject The Contemporary 
World, which covers globalization and its impact on individuals, 
communities and nations, challenges and responses;
(3) 
(i) The history of Filipino workers' struggles, which includes the foundation 
of the national holiday Labor Day, celebrated during the first of May, and 
(ii) history of major labor policies in the Philippines, in the core GE subject 
Readings in Philippine History,
(4) 
(i) Labor relations, (ii) dispute management, and (iii) labor organization and 
political participation, in the core GE subject ethics, which covers principles 
of ethical behavior in modern society at the level of the person, society, 
and in interaction with the environment and other shared resources;
(b) 
Such subject may be taken at any given year level, and may be taught in English 
or Filipino; and
(c) 
As far as practicable, hold a Labor Empowerment and Career Guidance 
conference which graduating students shall attend.
SEC. 5. Integration of Labor Education in Technical and Vocational 
Education and Training (TVET) Curriculum. - All technical-vocational institutions 
(TVIs) are mandated to integrate labor education in their curriculum, regardless of 
sector or qualification.
For this purpose, the Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA), in 
partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), shall develop the 
appropriate modules of instructions and other relevant materials to effectively 
implement the provisions of this Act. Such materials should specify the labor education 
topics expected to hone the basic competencies crucial to empowering future workers.
TVET curriculum shall integrate the following Labor Education topics:


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a) 
Labor rights and workers' welfare;
b) 
Role and contribution of labor to the national economy;
c) 
Basic income taxation;
d) 
Minimum labor standards on wage, overtime pay, night shift differential, 
holiday pay, leaves, etc.;
e) 
National and global labor situation and challenges;
f) 
Labor organization and political participation; and
g) 
Such other topics as may be relevant to achieve the objectives of this Act.
SEC. 6. Amendment of the List of GE Courses; Curriculum Review. — In the
event that an amendment to the list of GE courses in higher education as prescribed 
by CHED is made, and such amendment effectively affects the teaching of Labor 
Education topics as provided under this Act, the CHED shall identify new GE subject/s 
that shall integrate Labor Education in its content; Provided, however, that nothing 
herein shall limit the HEI from offering labor education as an elective subject.
In all cases, the coverage and quality of offering Labor Education shall be Included in 
any comprehensive curriculum review to be done by CHED and/or TESDA.
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Guidelines. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, CHED and TESDA, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, 
shall formulate the rules and regulations to effectively Implement the provisions of this 
Act.
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - Any portion or provisions of this Act that may be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions 
and provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can still subsist 
and be given effect in their entirety.
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. -All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations and 
administrative regulations, or any parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act herewith are hereby revoked, repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official 
Gazette.
Approved,