Republic of the Philippines  
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City  
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session  
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Mercedes “Didi” C. Cagas 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING THE COMMISSION ON THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN, 
MINORITIES, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, 
AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development envisions “a world of universal respect 
for human rights and human dignity, the rule of law, justice, equality and non-discrimination; 
of respect for race, ethnicity and cultural diversity; and of equal opportunity permitting the full 
realization of human potential and contributing to shared prosperity.” This vision is reflected 
in several Sustainable Development Goals on equal access to education, gender equality, 
decent work for all and equal pay, and equal opportunity for all. 
Article II, Section 9 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “The State shall promote a 
just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation 
and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, 
promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.”  
Section 14 “recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the fundamental 
equality before the law of women and men.”  Moreover, Section 22 “recognizes and promotes 
the rights of indigenous cultural communities within the framework of national unity and 
development.” 
Non-discrimination and gender equality policies are further reinforced in the enactment 
of the Magna Carta for Women (Republic Act No. 9710), the Indigenous People’s Rights Act 
(Republic Act No. 8371), and the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (Republic Act No. 7277), 
among others. 
However, women, minorities and persons with disabilities are still being 
underrepresented in scientific, engineering, and technology development occupations as few 
earn bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in these fields.  Among those who do are less 
likely to be employed full-time.  
While progress has been made in recent years, common recruitment hiring practices 
that make extensive use of traditional networks often overlook the available pool of women, 
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minorities and persons with disabilities in the field of science, engineering, and technology 
development. Once on the job, many faces sexual harassment, allegations of reverse 
discrimination, different standards for judging their work, lower salary, or inequitable job 
assignments. They, to a greater extent, find limited opportunities for advancement or promotion 
to management positions. 
This bill seeks to establish a commission that would examine these issues and help 
focus attention on the importance of eliminating artificial barriers to the recruitment, retention, 
and advancement of women, minorities and persons with disabilities in the fields of science, 
engineering, and technology development, and in all employment sectors of the Philippines;  
promote workforce diversity; sensitize employers on the need to recruit and retain women, 
minorities and persons with disabilities that are scientists, engineers, and computer specialists; 
encourage the replication of successful recruitment and retention programs by universities, 
corporations, and agencies in employing women, minorities and persons with disabilities. 
It is for the foregoing reason that the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MERCEDES “DIDI” C. CAGAS 


Republic of the Philippines  
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City  
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session  
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Mercedes “Didi” C. Cagas 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING THE COMMISSION ON THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN, 
MINORITIES, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, 
AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Commission on the Advancement 
of Women in Science, Engineering, and Technology Development Act.”   
SEC.  2. Commission on the Advancement of Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology 
Development. – There shall be established a “Commission on the Advancement of Women in 
Science, Engineering, and Technology Development,” referred in this Act as the 
‘Commission’. 
SEC. 3. Duty of the Commission. – The Commission shall review the available research, and 
if deemed necessary, conduct additional research to: 
(a) Identify the number of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities in the
Philippines in specific types of occupations in science, engineering, and technology
development;
(b) Examine the preparedness of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities
to pursue careers in the fields of science, engineering, and technology development
and to advance to positions of greater responsibility within the academia, industry,
and government;
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(c) Describe the practices and policies of employers and labor unions relating to the 
recruitment, retention, and advancement of women, minorities, and individuals with 
disabilities in the fields of science, engineering, and technology development;  
(d) Identify the opportunities for, and artificial barriers to, the recruitment, retention, 
and advancement of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities in the 
fields of science, engineering, and technology development; 
(e) Compile a synthesis of available research on lawful practices, policies, and 
programs that have successfully led to the recruitment, retention, and advancement 
of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities in the fields of science, 
engineering, and technology development;  
(f) Issue recommendations with respect to lawful policies that Government, academia, 
and private industry can follow regarding the recruitment, retention, and 
advancement of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities in the fields of 
science, engineering, and technology development;  
(g) Identify the disincentives for women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities 
to continue graduate education in the fields of science, engineering, and technology 
development; 
(h) Identify university undergraduate programs that are successful in retaining women, 
minorities, and individuals with disabilities in the fields of science, engineering, 
and technology development; 
(i) Identify the disincentives that lead to a disproportionate number of women, 
minorities, and individuals with disabilities leaving the fields of science, 
engineering, and technology development before completing their undergraduate 
education; and 
(j) Evaluate the benefits of family-friendly policies in order to assist recruiting, 
retaining, and advancing women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities in the 
fields of science, engineering, and technology development. 
SEC. 4. Membership. – The Commission shall be composed of six (6) members to be appointed 
by the President, as follows:  
(a)  Two (2) members from among for-profit entities that hire individuals in the fields 
o engineering, science, or technology development;  
(b) Two (2) members from among institutions in education or academia in the fields of 
life science, physical science, or engineering; and  
(c) Two (2) members from among non-governmental organizations, people's 
organizations or any similar entities that promote and advance the welfare of 
women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.  
The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology shall automatically seat as 
Chairperson of the Commission in an ex-officio capacity. Each member shall be appointed for 
the life of the Commission. A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the manner in which 
the original appointment was made. Members shall not be paid by reason of their service on 
the Commission. Each member shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in an amount 
to be determined by existing law. A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute 
a quorum for the transaction of business.   
The Commission shall meet not fewer than five (5) times in connection with and 
pending the completion of the report described in this Act. The Commission shall hold 
additional meetings for such purpose if the Chairperson or a majority of the members of the 
Commission requests additional meetings in writing.  


SEC. 5. Directors and Staff of the Commission; Experts and Consultants. –  
(a) Director. – The Commission shall appoint and fix the pay of Director and additional 
personnel as the Commission considers appropriate.  
(b) Experts and Consultants. – The Commission may procure temporary and 
intermittent services to assist in the discharge of the Commission's functions.  
SEC. 6. Powers of the Commission. –  
(a) Hearings and Sessions. – The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this 
Act, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and receive 
evidence as the Commission considers appropriate. The Commission may 
administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before it.  
(b) Powers of Members and Agents. – Any member or agent of the Commission may, 
if authorized by the Commission, take any action which the Commission is 
authorized to take by this section.  
(c) Obtaining Official Data. – The Commission may secure directly from any 
department or agency information necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon 
request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of that department or 
agency shall furnish that information to the Commission.  
(d) Mails. – The Commission may use mails in the same manner and under the same 
conditions as other departments and agencies of the government. 
(e) Contract Authority. – To the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts, the 
Commission may contract with and compensate government and private agencies 
or persons for the purpose of conducting research or surveys necessary to enable 
the Commission to carry out its duties under this Act.  
SEC. 7.  Report. – Not later than one (1) year after the date on which the initial appointments 
are complete, the Commission shall submit to the President and the Congress a written report 
containing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Commission resulting from 
the study conducted under Section 3.  
SEC. 8.  Construction; Use of Information Obtained. – Nothing in this Act shall be construed 
to require any non-governmental entities such as business, college or university, foundation, or 
research organization to provide information to the Commission concerning such entity's 
personnel policies, including salaries and benefits, promotion criteria, and affirmative action 
plans. No information obtained from any entity by the Commission may be used in connection 
with any employment related litigation.  
SEC. 9.  Termination; Access to Information. – The Commission shall terminate thirty (30) 
days after submitting the reports required in this Act. On or before the date of the termination 
of the Commission, the Commission shall provide to the Department of Science and 
Technology the information gathered by the Commission in the process of carrying out its 
duties under this Act. The department shall act as a central repository for such information and 
shall make such information available to the public, including malting such information 
available through Internet.  
SEC. 10.  Review of Information Provided by the Department of Science and Technology and 
Other Agencies. –  


(a) Provision of Information. – At the request of the Commission, the DOST and any
other department or agency shall provide to the Commission any information
determined necessary by the Commission to carry out its duties under this Act,
including-data on academic degrees awarded to women, minorities, and individuals
with disabilities in science, engineering, and technology development and
workforce representation and the retention of women, minorities, and individuals
with disabilities in the fields of science, engineering, and technology development;
and
(b) Review of Information. – The Commission shall review any information provided
and shall include in the report required under Section 7 on how to correct any
deficiencies in the collection of the types of information described in that
subsection, and in the analysis of such data, which might impede the
characterization of the factors which affect the attraction and retention of women,
minorities, and individuals with disabilities in the field of science, engineering, and
technology development.
SEC. 11.  Authorization of Appropriations. – These are authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out this Act – 
(a) Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00) for the fiscal year during which this Act is
approved; and
(b) Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00) for next succeeding fiscal year.
SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules and 
regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 13. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or 
invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 18. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,