Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 8547

Introduced by Representative John Marvin “Yul Servo” C.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As a manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this
representation respectfully refiles this measure, which has constantly been
receiving support from the past and present Congress.

Article II Section 16 of the Constitution provides that the State shall protect and
advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord
with the rhythm and harmony of nature. In accordance with this constitutional
policy, the proposed measure aims to establish a Green-collar Jobs Council
under the Department of Labor and Employment.

Green-collar jobs play a vital role in preserving the Philippine environment and
ensuring its sustainable development. In order to ensure that this field
continues to develop, it is only proper to provide for strategic initiatives that will
create more green-collar jobs and will make working in the environment
Protection industry more appealing. Moreover, the proposed measure
addresses the need to improve on supplementary areas (e.g. education,
information, inter-agency coordination, and stronger LGU involvement, to name
a few) necessary in the development and generation of green-collar jobs.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this measure is earnestly
‘sought.

JOHN MAI SERVO” C. NIETO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

8547

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

AN ACT
PROMOTING THE CREATION OF GREEN-COLLAR JOBS, PROVIDING A
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This At shall be known as the “Promoting Green-collar
Jobs in the Philippines Act of 2018."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - In accordance with the constitutional
policy that, “The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a
balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of
nature", it is hereby declared that it is every citizen’s responsibility to one
another and to the future generations to see that the Philippine environment is
preserved and protected and that the government has the supreme
intergenerational responsibility and mandate to ensure the sustainable develop
country's environment and Mother Earth.

SECTION 3. Creation of Green-collar Jobs Council. - A Green-collar Jobs
Council, hereinafter called as the Council, is hereby created as a special
organization under the Department of Labor and Employment. The Council shall
be tasked as the premier government body to implement the provisions of this
Act.

The Council shall be headed by the Secretary of the Department of Labor and
Employment and will have the Secretaries of the Department of Trade and
Industry, Environment and Natural Resources and Energy and the Director-
General of the National Economic Development Authority as members. Four (4)
representatives from the private sector and non-governmental organizations
representing management and industry, environmental and conservation
advocacy, academic community and local government shall be appointed by the
President of the Philippines.


The Council shall have an Executive Director who will head a lean corps of
competent personnel which will serve as the administrative and technical
secretariat.

SECTION 4. Strategic Initiative for the Creation of Green-collar Jobs. -
The Council shall formulate a Strategic Initiative which will serve as framework
for the promotion and creation of green-collar employment.

The Strategic Initiative shall contain:

a. Strategies and approaches to adopt new ways of looking at industry
sectors and the development of potential new technologies combined
with innovative public policy and strategic investments to stimulate the
growth of new markets for green products and services;

b. action plans identifying the framework, strategies, programs and
policies partnerships and opportunities necessary to address the
growing need for a highly skilled and well-trained workforce to meet
the needs of the emerging green economy.

c. a data base that identifies and links green-collar job opportunities with
entities, agencies and corporations requiring _green-collar
employments. It shall include training programs to assist and prepare
specific sectors such as displaced and retrenched workers, at-risk
youth and out-of school youth, students, veterans, persons with
disabilities and other facing barriers to employment.

d. dossiers and information emerging green industries workforce needs,
trends, and job growth and funding recommendations on how to
expand and leverage these funds.

e. Such other data that may be significant in the promotion and
Propagation of green-collar jobs.

SECTION 5. Immediate Needs for Green-collar Jobs in the Country. -
Initially, the Department of Labor and Employment must publish in its website
and must avail of all free media advertisements announcing immediate green-
collar job opportunities, in such areas as:

a. Coastal clean-up and bay watch projects;

b. Reforestation efforts and tree planting;

c. Construction and designation of bike lanes and installation of solar
powered street lights and other clean energy initiatives,


d. Garbage collection;
e. Planting and replanting of coconut trees to ensure bio-fuel feed stock;

f. Opportunities in refitting public utility vehicles with liquefied petroleum
gas;

g. Re-electrification of barangays using solar vehicles with liquefied
petroleum;

SEC. 6. Coordination with Local Government Units. - Local Government
Units must assist in the implementation of this Act through the promotion of
green-collar jobs creation.

SEC.7. Incentives. - An incentive scheme is hereby provided for the purpose
of encouraging LGUs, enterprises, or private entities, including NGOs, to
develop or undertake and effective program to generate green-collar jobs or
actively participate in any program geared towards the promotion thereof as
provided for in this Act.

The Council shall provide a system of incentives to businesses and industries
that are in the promotion and generation of green-collar jobs.

Government financial institutions such as the Development Bank of the
Philippines (DBP), Landbank of the Philippines (LBP), Government Service
Insurance System (GSIS), and such other government institutions providing
financial services shall, in accordance with and to the extent allowed by the
enabling provisions of their respective charters or applicable laws, accord high
priority to extend financial services to individuals, enterprises, or private
entities that creates green-collar jobs.

SEC. 8. Public Education and Information - The Council shall, in
coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and mass media
organizations, conduct a continuing education and information campaign on the
development and generation of green-collar jobs including:

a. Aim to develop public awareness of the positive effects of green
economy;

b. Encourage the general public to patronize green products and services
and endorse and patronize environmentally acceptable products and
packaging materials.

SEC. 9. Appropriations. - For the initial operating expenses of the Council, the
amount of Twenty million pesos (P20, 000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from
the budget of the DOLE. Thereafter, the Council shall submit to the Department


of Budget and Management its proposed budget for inclusion in the General
Appropriations Act.

In the next five (5) years following the approval of this Act, the government
must appropriate one half of one percent (0.5%) of the annual appropriation
act for various green-collar jobs/employments. In addition, the government
agencies are encouraged to utilize their saving for short- and medium-term
green-collar jobs employment.

SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The Council, in
coordination with the Committees on Environment and Ecology of the Senate
and House of Representatives, respectively, the representatives of the Leagues
of Provinces, Cities, Municipalities and Barangay Councils, the MMDA and other
concerned agencies, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of
this Act, within one (1) year after its enactment.

SEC. 11. Transitory Provision. - Pending the establishment of the Strategic
Initiative under Section 4 hereof, existing laws, regulations, programs and
Projects on generation of green-collar jobs shall be enforced: Provided, that for
specific undertaking, the same may be revised in the interim in accordance with
the intentions of this Act.

SEC. 12. Report to Congress. - The Council shall report to Congress not later
than March 30 every year following the approval of this Act, giving a detailed
account of its accomplishments and progress on promotion of green-collar jobs
during the year and make the necessary recommendations in areas where there
is need for legislative action.

SEC. 13. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or the regulations
or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

SEC. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,