Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No.6474

Introduced by
REP. RAYMOND DEMOCRITO C. MENDOZA
Trade Union Congress Party (TUCP PARTYLIST)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Government has been successful in implementing the Pantawid Pamilyang
Pilipino Program (4Ps) but while the program targets the poorest of the poor, the
program excludes the minimum wage earners (MWEs). MWEs are not classified as
poorest of the poor but they are in reality in the fringe, near-poor hanging pendulous
between poverty and poverty threshold, neck-deep in debt and vulnerable to the
slightest flick of either economic changes or calamities manmade or otherwise.

MWEs are mostly the bread winners who also serve as the informal security net and
the only line of defense for their extended family to hurdle hunger, sickness,
homelessness and the multifarious vulnerabilities and insecurities which sickness,
natural calamities and the unexpected brings. For decades, MWEs have been
waiting for the long promised trickle down of economic growth and endured being the
sacrificial lambs during economic downturns but forgotten during economic upturns.
With contractualization or ENDO employment scheme at epidemic proportion, a big
number of MWEs have become forever minimum wage and in insecure jobs. The
ascent of the current Administration is built on long nurtured hope to be recognized
as the backbone of the economy and thus, justly be given their fair share of the
economic growth. A continuous deprivation of their just share and lack of concern
on their welfare will not augur well for the future of the country and of the current
Administration's political capital

As a form of safety net and recognizing the immeasurable contribution of the MWEs,
who constitute an overwhelming majority of the workforce, the passage of this bill is
urgently requested.

Rep. RAYMOND DEMOCRITO C. MENDOZA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6474

House Bill No.

Introduced by
REP. RAYMOND DEMOCRITO C. MENDOZA
Trade Union Congress Party (TUCP PARTYLIST)

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A LABOR EMPOWERMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LEAP),
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CHAPTER II OF TITLE Vill, BOOK V OF
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 442, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LABOR CODE
OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS AMENDED

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Labor
Empowerment Assistance Program of 2017” or “LEAP Act of 2017”.

SECTION 2. Chapter II on providing assistance to labor organizations under
Title VIII, Book V of Presidential Decree No. 442, otherwise known as the Labor
Code of the Philippines, as amended, is hereby amended by providing a new, Article
282-A, to read as follows

ARTICLE 282-A. Labor Empowerment Assistance Program.
— To provide a safety net to working poor, all minimum wage earners in
the private sector, as listed in the Social Security System (SSS)
schedule of contribution, shall be provided a monthly financial subsidy
of at least FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (Php500.00) in the form of a non-
transferable cash voucher for food and basic services under the Labor
Employment Assistance Program (LEAP)

The LEAP shall be implemented by the Department of Labor
and Employment (DOLE) in coordination with the Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI), Social Security System (SSS) and other relevant
government agencies. Registered trade union centers, subject to the
criteria to be set forth in the Implementing Rules and Regulations, shall
be accredited for the distribution of LEAP vouchers under the
supervision of the DOLE Regional Offices.


SECTION 3. — Funding. - Initial funding for the implementation of this Act shall
be sourced against any applicable appropriation items under the current General
Appropriations Act. Subsequently, the amount necessary to implement this Act shall
be included by the Department of Budget and Management in the annual General
Appropriations Act (GAA) with a provision for ten percent (10%) administrative cost.

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules. - Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DOLE shall, in consultation with relevant stakeholders,
issue the appropriate implementing rules and regulations.

SECTION 5. — Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, rules and
regulations or any part hereof inconsistent herewith are deemed repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. — Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall
be declared unconstitutional and invalid, such declaration shall not invalidate other
parts thereof which shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 7.  Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved,