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

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 599

Introduced by Honorable Erlinda M. Santiago

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish livelihood and employment resource
centers in every municipality and city in the Philippines to provide the
necessary knowledge, technology and training for the poor and unemployed
sector of the community. Likewise, it is designed towards production of
goods and services peculiar to a particular province or region and for
employment generation for the people of such areas.

The center will delve on the production of goods that are not
ordinarily included in industrial manufacturing. Along with this aspect of
production are furniture making, woodcarving, handicraft, garments,
ceramics, pottery, ornamental products, hog raising, poultry, cattle and other
agri-business activities. Activities that may hasten the aforementioned like
cottage industry development and reforestation projects shall, likewise, be
covered.

Raising the quality of life for all is the end goal of the government.
Through this bill, it is envisioned to complement the national livelihood
programs and thus, solve the growing unemployment problem. Moreover, it
will encourage more people to stay in their respective provinces, which will
in effect decongest urban areas.

In view of the foregoing, early approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ERLINDA M. SANTIAGO.


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

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 599

Introduced by Honorable Erlinda M. Santiago

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A MUNICIPAL LIVELIHOOD AND
EMPLOYMENT RESOURCE CENTER IN EVERY CITY AND
MUNICIPALITY AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. There shall be established, in every city and
municipality, a Livelihood and Employment Resource Center, hereinafter
referred to as the Center, complete with facilities and equipment to be
organized, managed and operated by the Department of Trade and Industry,
in coordination with the local government units and Department of Social
Welfare and Development.

SEC. 2. The Center shall have the following functions:

a. To provide skills training services to develop the individual skills
of residents of the municipality for employment and for small scale
entrepreneurship;

b. To provide the necessary knowledge, technology and training that

will cover all aspects of livelihood production such as furniture making,


handicrafts, ceramics, garments, pottery, furniture, ornamental plants or
décor making, wood carving and agri-business production such as poultry,
fishery, hog and cattle raising;

c. To provide livelihood skills development to open opportunities for
residents to engage in productive undertakings and income generating,
projects either through open, sheltered or self-employment, including the
development of practical skills for backyard gardening, home-based aqua
culture and livestock raising, basic business management, technical-
vocational occupation, among others;

d. To provide coordination in extending government’s priority support
to livelihood and employment:

e. To conduct special research relative to livelihood promotion and
employment generation, in cooperation with other agencies, whether local,
national or international, private or public, and to disseminate the results
thereof; and

f. To perform such other functions as may be assigned by the
Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Social Welfare and

Development and the city or municipal government concerned.

SEC. 3. The Center shall be the hub of production of goods for
domestic consumption and eventually for export.

SEC. 4. The Department of Trade and Industry shall, in coordination
with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, promulgate the

necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.


SEC. 5. The city or municipality concemed shall set aside twenty-
five percent (25%) out of the twenty percent (20%) Development Fund to
fund the Center: Provided, that the sum necessary to meet inadequacies in
the aforementioned funding shall be charged to the appropriation of the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) under the current General
Appropriations Act. Thereafter, the sum necessary for the continuous
operation of the Centers shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations and other
issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication
in any two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,