ws
Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4. “Hise Bit No. 1436

Introduced by Representative Midy N. Cua
Lone District, Quirino

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE COMMISSION ON THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN IN
SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The fields of Science, Engineering, and Technology Development has seen a rise of Filipina workers
in professions related to Health, Engineering, and Technology. This is owed to the growing
confidence of women in choosing a career path in these fields, However, women, other minorities,
and persons with disabilities remain excluded from scientific narratives. In effect, the field loses
possible contributions and perspectives that they are capable of providing. For instance, in research
and development, women’s participation has effectively contributed to addressing issues in climate
change, food security, and public health. These all point to the idea that a diverse workforce in these
fields will play to the strengths of a more inclusive scientific community and greater yield of
academic input.

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."

While progress has been made throughout the years, there is still room for improvement. Female
students eam fewer bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in Science and Engineering. Among
recent bachelors of science and bachelor of engineering graduates, women are less likely to be in the
labor force, to be employed full-time, and to be employed in their field than are men. This is because
common recruitment hiring practices that make extensive use of traditional networks often overlook
the available pool of women, minorities and persons with disabilities in the field of Science,
Engineering, and Technology Development. Once on the job, many face sexual harassment,
allegations of reverse discrimination, different standards for judging their work, lower salary, or
inequitable job assignments. Thus, they find limited opportunities for advancement or promotion to
‘management positions.

In this regard, this bill seeks to establish a commission that would examine these issues and help:


(A) to focus attention on the importance of eliminating artificial barriers to the recruitment,
retention, and advancement of women in the fields of science, engineering, and technology,
and in all employment sectors of the Philippines;

(B) to promote workforce diversity;

(C) to sensitize employers to the need to recruit and retain women and minority scientists,
‘engineers, and computer specialists;

These are expected to encourage the replication of successful recruitment and retention programs by

universities, corporations, and agencies having difficulties in employing women in the fields of
science, engineering, and technology.

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



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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

4 House BillNo.7436

Introduced by Representative Midy N. Cua
Lone District, Quirino

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE COMMISSION ON THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN IN
SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 “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 available research, and if
determined necessary by the Commission, 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:

(1) pursue careers in science, engineering and technology development; and
(2) advance to positions of greater responsibility within the academia, industry, and
government;

(©) describe the practice and policies of employees 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 in academia, industry, and
government;

(E) compile a synthesis of available research on lawful practices, polices, and programs that
have successfully led to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women,
minorities, and individuals with disabilities in science, engineering, and technology
development;

(F) issue recommendations with respect to lawful policies that government (including
Congress, academia, private industry can follow regarding the recruitment, retention, and



advancement of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities in science,
engineering, and technology development;

(G) identify the disincentives for women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities to
continue graduate education in the fields of engineering, physics, and computer science;

(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;

(1) 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

() 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 of
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 shalll 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,

(©) 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 manner same 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 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 making such information available through Intemet.

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, rules and regulations, and other
issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions this Act, are hereby repealed,
amended 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. 14. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,