Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HoUsE BILLNo. 7709

Introduced by Deputy Speaker Ferdinand L. Hernandez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The mandate of the State to afford full protection to labor, promote full employment, and
equal employment opportunities for all appears twice in our laws: in Sec. 3 of the Labor Code of
the Philippines, and in Art. XIII, Sec. 3 of the 1987 Constitution.

Improving human capital by providing training helps government comply with this
mandate. Training centers can help the disadvantaged, such as the impoverished and the disabled,
to become more employable, equalizing the job market in the Philippines and abroad. Having a
more competent workforce, in turn, also helps attract investors, who may look to tap the larger
pool of available labor.

The challenge to improve human capital is even more important in the context of South
Cotabato, and Mindanao as a whole. By establishing a manpower training center in the region,
less people will have to flock to the big cities just to look for training. Greater employability also
leads to more investment, creating more jobs and businesses in South Cotabato. This will
fasttrack the economic development of Mindanao, as promised by the administration. Economic
development should also encourage warring factions to lay down their arms, and participate in
the burgeoning economic prospects of Mindanao.

Considering the rationale stated above, the approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS.
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. '7'709

Introduced by Deputy Speaker Ferdinand L. Hernandez

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AMANPOWER
DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE IN THE SECOND DISTRICT, PROVINCE OF SOUTH
COTABATO, TO BE KNOWN AS THE SOUTH COTABATO MANPOWER TRAINING
CENTER, 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 “South Cotabato Manpower
‘Training Center Act”.

Section 2. Establishment. — There is hereby established a Manpower Training Center in
the City of Koronadal, in the Second District of the Province of South Cotabato, under the
supervision of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), to be known as the South
Cotabato Manpower Training Center, herein referred to as the Center.

Section 3. General Mandate. — The center shall primarily provide modular training that
will enhance the core competencies of individuals, without regard to gender, economic status,
age, disability, creed, or religious beliefs. Preference, however, shall be given to low-income
families, out-of-school youth, and persons with disabilities in the Province of South Cotabato. It
shall also play a pivotal role in helping the residents of South Cotabato become productive, self-
reliant, and highly-skilled, to hasten the development of the province, as well as meet the needs
of the local and international labor markets.

Section 4. Curricular Offerings. — The Center shall offer training modules in different
competencies, such as hard skills training, personality development, career counselling, financial
management, and other areas of specialization, in consultation with other government agencies.
Modules shall be planned, designed, and conceptualized by DOLE, in coordination with its
attached agencies such as the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Section 5. School Site. — The Center shall be established in the City of Koronadal,
Province of South Cotabato, pursuant to the purposes of this act and to the mutual agreement
between the Department of Labor and Employment and the concerned local government unit.


Section 6. Administration. — The Center shall be headed by an Administrator under the
supervision of the Department of Labor and Employment. He/She shall be appointed by the
Secretary in accordance with civil service rules and regulations. He/She shall render full-time
services and shall be responsible for the administration and operations of the Center.

Section 7. Government Support and Coordination. - The Secretary of Labor and
Employment is hereby authorized to call upon any department, bureau, agency, or
instrumentality of the government for such assistance as may be necessary to effectively
implement this Act.

Section 8. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this
‘Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days after the
effectivity of this Act, the DOLE, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the concerned
LGU, and such other relevant agencies, shall formulate and issue the necessary rules and
regulations for the implementation of this Act.

Section 10. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected thereby shall
remain in full force and effect.

Section 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules,
and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

Section 12. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,