• 
SIXTEENTH CONGR~SS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PijlLfPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
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'14 
JUL 30 P 1 :24 
Senate Bill No. 
2 3 3 2 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
FURTHER STRENGl1HENING THE SOCIAL AMELIORATION PR,OGRAM IN 
THE SUGAR INDUSTRY, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE CERTAIN 
PROVISIONS OF R.A. NO. 6982 ENTITLED, "AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE 
SOCIAL 
AMELIORATION 
PROGRAM 
IN 
THE 
SUGAR 
INDUSTRY, 
PROVIDING THE MECHANICS FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES" 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 6982, or the Social Amelioration Program in the Sugar Industry 
was enacted primarily to promote and protect the interest and welfare of workers 
in the sugar industry in order for them to have a quality and decent living 
condition. After its enactment twenty three (23) years ago, several provisions of 
the said law have become outdated and inapplicable to the changing socio 
economic conditions in the country. 
This bill seeks to amend R.A. No. 6982 to make it more attuned to the present 
needs and concerns of workers in the sugar industry. Salient points of the bill 
include: (a) conversion into metric system from picul to LKG which is an 
internationally-accepted unit of measurement; (b) prOVision of lien of P10.00; (c) 
inclusion of health, medical and educational projects under the Socio-Economic 
projects provision; (d) additional members to the Sugar Tripartite Council. 
This measure is a counterpart of a, bill filed by Congresswoman Lucy Marie 
Torres-Gomez in the House of Representatives. The immediate passage of this 
bill is earnestly sought. 
GOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRI;SS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
. Second Regular Session 
) 
'14 J\Jl 30 P 1 :28 
Senate Bill No. 2332 
d' 
SENATE 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
FURTHER STRENGTHENING THE SOCIAL AMELIORATION PROGRAM IN 
THE SUGAR INDU$TRY, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE CERTAIN 
PROVISIONS OF R.A. NO. 6982 ENTITLED, "AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE 
SOCIAL 
AMELIORATION 
PROGRAM 
IN 
THE 
SUGAR 
INDUSTRY, 
PROVIDING THE MECHANICS FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES" 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Section:~ of RA No. 6982, is hereby amended to read, as follows: 
2 
3 
Sec. 3. Composition. THE SUGAR TRIPARTITE COUNCIL SHALL 
4 
BE COMPOSED OF TWELVE (12) MEMBERS, WITH THE SECRETARY 
5 
OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT OR HIS DULY AUTHORIZED 
6 
REPRESENTATIVE 
AS 
EX-OFFICIO 
CHAIRMAN; 
ONE 
(1) 
7 
REPRESENTATIVE 
FROM 
THE 
SUGAR 
REGULATORY 
8 
ADMINISTRATION, WHO SHALL LIKEWISE SIT IN AN EX-OFFICIO 
9 
CAPACITY; FOUR (4) REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PLANTERS' 
10 
SECTOR; TWO (2) REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MILLERS' 
11 
SECTOR; AND TWO (2) REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MILLERS 
12 
WORKERS' SECTOR AND TWO (2) REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE 
13 
FIELD WORKERS' SECTOR, AS MEMBERS. 
14 
15 
THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PLANTERS' SECTOR 
16 
SHALL BE CHOSEN FROM A LIST OF NOMINEES SUBMITIED BY 
17 
THE TOP TWO MILLERS FEDERATIONS. 
18 
19 
THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MILL WORKERS AND 
20 
FIELD WORKEgRS SECTOR SHALL COME FROM A LEGITIMATE 
21 
LABOR ORGANIZATION OR UNION OF SUCH MILL OR FIELD 
22 
WORKERS. 
23 
24 
25 
SEC. 2. Section 6 of R.A. No. 6982, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
26 
27 
Sec. 6. - District Tripartite Councils. -
(a) Whenever necessary, the 
28 
Secretary of Labor and Employment shall, upon recommendation of the 
29 
Sugar Tripartite Council, create a District Tripartite Council in each milling 
I 


1 
district in the Philippines to ensure greater participation by the planters, 
2 
millers and workers in the social and economic programs and policy 
3 
determination under this Act. The District Tripartite Council shall consist of 
4 
seven (7) members composed of the Regional Director of the DOLE as 
5 
ex-officio Chairman; two (2) representatives from the planters' sector; one 
6 
(1) 
representative 
from 
millers' 
sectors 
as 
members. 
THE 
7 
REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MILL SECTOR SHALL COME FROM A 
8 
LEGITIMATE LABOR ORGANIZATION OR UNION OF SUCH MILL OR 
9 
FIELD WORKERS. 
10 
11 
(b) The representatives from the planters, millers and workers' sectors 
12 
shall be appointed by the Secretary of Labor and Employment from 
13 
among the nominees of the planters, millers and workers, respectively, for 
14 
a term of three (3) years. 
15 
16 
17 
SEC. 3. Section 7 of RA No. 6982, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
18 
19 
Sec. 7. _. (a) EFFECTIVE ON SUGAR CROP YEAR 2015-2016, A 
20 
LIEN OF TEN PESOS (P 10.00) PER LKG, OR FIFTY-KILO BAG OF 
21 
SUGAR, SHALL BE IMPOSED ON THE GROSS PRODUCTION OF 
22 
SUGAR TO PRIMARILY AUGMENT THE INCOME OF SUGAR 
23 
WORKERS, AND TO FINANCE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PROGRAMS 
24 
TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVELIHOOD AND WELL-BEING; PROVIDED, 
25 
THAT THE SECRETARY OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT MAY, UPON 
26 
THE RECOMMENDATION BY THE SUGAR TRIPARTITE COUNCIL, 
27 
ALLOW THE INCREASE OF NOT MORE THAN ONE PESO (P 1.00) 
28 
EVERY TWO YEARS FOR A PERIOD OF TEN (10) YEARS FROM THE 
29 
EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE 
30 
CIRCUMSTANCES 
ADVERSELY 
AFFECTING 
THE 
COST 
OF 
31 
PRODUCING SUGAR AND THE DECLARATION OF POLICY IN THIS 
32 
ACT. 
33 
34 
The amount herein imposed shall be borne by the sugar planters 
35 
and millers in proportion to their corresponding milling share and said 
36 
amounts shall oonstitute a lien on their sugar quedans and/or warehouse 
37 
receipts. 
38 
39 
40 
SEC. 4. Section 9 of RA No. 6982, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
41 
42 
Sec. 9. -
ANY UNDISTRIBUTED AMOUNT DUE TO THE 
43 
. WORKERS SHALL BE WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS, BE REMITTED TO 
44 
AND PLACED IN A SPECIAL FUND TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE 
45 
STC FOR A PERIOD OF ONE (1) YEAR FROM THE DATE OF 
46 
REMITTANCE, AFTER WHICH IT SHALL FORFEITED BE ADDED AND 
47 
TRANSFERRED TO DTC CONCERNED. 
48 
49 
THE DTC SHALL ALLOT FIFTY PERCENT (50%) OF THE SAID 
50 
FUND 
TO 
FINANCE 
EDUCATIONAL 
PROGRAMS AND 
THEIR 
51 
DEPENDENTS BY DULY ACCREDITED TRAINING CENTERS BY THE 
52 
TECHNICAL EDUCATION SKILLS AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 
53 
(TESDA). THE OTHER FIFTY PERCENT (50%) OF THE SAID FUND 
54 
SHALL BE ALLOTED TO FINANCE THE VARIOUS PROJECTS OF THE 
55 
DTC CONCERNED. 
56 
57 
2 


· . 
1 
SEC. 5. Section 10 of R.A. No. 6982, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
2 
3 
Sec. 10.·- Socio-economic Plans and Program; Operation Council. 
4 
5 
(b) TEN PERCENT (10%) FOR THE SOCIO ECONOMIC 
6 
PROJECTS WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, HEALTH, 
7 
MEDICAL AND 
EDUCATIONAL 
BENEFITS 
FOR 
THE 
SUGAR 
8 
WORKERS UNDERTAKEN BY THE BUREAU OF RURAL WORKERS, 
9 
PLANTERS/MILLERS ORGANIZATIONS, WORKERS ORGANIZATIONS 
10 
AND OTHER FOUNDATIONS OF SUGAR PLANTERS/MILLERS: 
11 
PROVIDED, THAT EDUCATION BENEFITS SHALL NOT BE LIMITED 
12 
TO FORMAL EDUCATION BUT ALSO TECHNICAL SKILLS TRAINING 
13 
AT TRAINING CENTERS DULY ACCREDITED BY THE TESDA. 
14 
15 
(c) TWO AND HALF (2.5%) PERCENT FOR THE WOMEN 
16 
SUGAR WORKERS 
IN 
ADDITION TO EXISTING COLLECTIVE 
17 
BARGAINING AGREEMENTS: PROVIDED, THAT A WOMAN SUGAR 
18 
WORKER WHO DELIVERS A CHILD OR UNDERGOES THERAPEUTIC 
19 
ABORTION SHALL BE ENTITLED TO A MATERNITY BENEFIT FOR 
20 
EVERY SUCH DELIVERY OR THERAPEUTIC ABORTION; PROVIDED, 
21 
FURTHER, 
THAT 
WOMEN 
SUGAR 
WORKERS 
WHO 
ARE 
22 
UNEMPLOYED OR ON LEAVE OF ABSENCE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO 
23 
THIS MATERNITY BENEFIT WHO, AT THE TIME OF SUCH DELIVERY 
24 
OR THERAPEUTIC ABORTION, SHALL HAVE HAD A RECORD OF 
25 
PRIOR SERVICE OF AT LEAST TWO (2) YEARS IN A SUGAR MILL OR 
26 
SUGAR FARM AND AT LEAST NINETY (90) DAYS OF ACCUMULATED 
27 
SERVICE DURING EACH CROP YEAR. 
28 
29 
WOMEN 
SUGAR 
WORKERS 
WHO 
ARE 
MANAGERIAL 
30 
EMPLOYEES, 
ALTHOUGH 
THEY 
MAY 
RECEIVE 
MATERNITY 
31 
BENEFITS OR SIMILAR BENEFITS FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE 
32 
EMPLOYERS, SHALL NOT BE ENTITLED TO THE MATERNITY 
33 
PROVIDED HEREIN. 
34 
35 
SMALL FARM CULTIVATORS SHALL BE ENTITLED TO THE 
36 
MATERNITY BENEFITS HEREIN PROVIDED 
37 
38 
(D) TWO AND HALD PERCENT (2.5%) FOR ADMINISTRATIVE 
39 
EXPENSES OF THE SUGAR TRIPARTITE COUNCILS AND THE 
40 
BUREAU OF WORKERSS WITH SPECIAL CONCERNS OF THE 
41 
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT IN IMPLEMENTING 
42 
THIS ACT. 
43 
44 
45 
SEC. 6. There shall be added a Section 1 O-A which shall read as follows: 
46 
47 
SEC. 10-A. THE SUGAR WORKERS' MATERNITY BENEFIT FUND. 
48 
49 
a) PURSUANT 
TO 
PARAGRAPH 
(C) 
OF 
THE 
IMMEDIATELY 
50 
PRECEDING 
SECTION, 
THERE 
SHALL 
BE 
A 
WORKERS' 
51 
MATERNITY BENEFIT FUND (SWMB) TO BE ADMINISTERED AND 
52 
MANAGED BY THE DOLE, THROUGH THE BUREAU OF WORKERS 
53 
WITH SPECIAL CONCERNS AND ALL INCOMES AND INTERESTS 
54 
THEREOF SHALL BE HELD IN A SPECIAL TRUST ACCOUNT IN AN 
55 
AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT DEPOSITORY BANK. 
56 
3 


, . 
, , 
1 
THE BUREAU SHALL PROVIDE THE SWMB RESERVE FUND TO 
2 
COVER REGIONAL OFFICES AND SUBSEQUENT RELEASE OF 
3 
SAID FUND TO THE REGIONAL OFFICES SHALL BE EFFECTED 
4 
THROUGH FUND REPLENISHMENT. 
5 
6 
b) CONDITION AND REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTITLEMENT. - A CLAIM 
7 
FOR MATERNITY BENEFITS SHALL BE FILED WITH THE 
8 
REGIONAL OR FIELD OFFICE HAVING JURISDICTION OVER THE 
9 
WORKPLACE OR RESIDENCE OF THE COVERED WOMAN 
10 
WORKER, UPON RECOMMENDATION BY THE ACCREDITED 
11 
PLANTERS' 
ASSOCIATION/COOPERATIVES 
AND 
MILLS 
12 
THROUGH 
THEIR 
RESPECTIVE 
AUTHORIZED 
13 
REPRESENTATIVE/S, WITHIN THREE (3) YEARS COUNTED FROM 
14 
THE DATE OF HER DELIVERY OR THERAPEUTIC ABORTION, 
15 
OTHERWISE THE CLAIM SHALL BE BARRED. 
16 
17 
c) DOCUMENTATION AND REPORTING. IN ADDITION TO THE 
18 
REQUIRED FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR LIQUIDATION OF CASH 
19 
ADVANCES ON THE SWMBF, THE REGIONAL OFFICE SHALL 
20 
SUBMIT THE STATUS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 
21 
PROGRAM ON A MONTHLY BASIS. 
22 
23 
ANY 
UNUSED 
PORTION 
OF 
THE 
SWMBF 
SHALL 
BE 
24 
TRANSFERRED AND ADDED TO THE 10% SOCIO ECONOMIC 
25 
FUND OF THE SPECIFIC MILL DISTRICT FOR THE FOLLOWING 
26 
CROP YEAR. 
27 
28 
29 
SEC. 7. There shall be added a Section 10-B which shall be read as follows: 
30 
31 
Sec.10-B. SUGAR WORKERS' DEATH BENEFIT PROGRAM. 
32 
33 
a) THERE SHALL BE SUGAR WORKERS' DEATH BENEFIT FUND 
34 
(SWDBF) TO BE ADMINISTERED AND MANAGED BY THE DOLE, 
35 
THROUGH 
THE 
BUREAU 
OF 
WORKERS 
WITH 
SPECIAL 
36 
CONCERNS AND ALL INCOMES AND INTERESTS THEREOF 
37 
SHALL BE HELD IN A SPECIAL TRUST ACCOUNT IN AN 
38 
AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT DEPOSITORY BANK. 
39 
40 
THE BUREAU SHALL PROVIDE THE SWDBF RESERVE FUND TO 
41 
COVER REGIONAL OFFICES AND SUBSEQUENT RELEASE OF 
42 
SAID FUND TO THE REGIONAL OFFICES SHALL BE EFFECTED 
43 
THROUGH FUND REPLENISHMENT. 
44 
45 
b) CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTITLEMENT. -
A 
46 
DEATH BENEFIT CLAIM SHALL BE FILED WITH REGIONAL 
47 
OFFICE OR IN ITS PROVINCIAL OFFICE HAVING JURISDICTION 
48 
OVER THE WORKPLACE OR RESIDENCE OF THE DECEASED 
49 
COVERED WORKER OF SMALL FARM CULTIVATOR, UPON 
50 
RECOMMENDATION 
BY 
THE 
ACCREDITED 
PLANTERS' 
51 
ASSOCIATION/COOPERATIVES AND 
MILL THROUGH THEIR 
52 
RESPECTIVE ACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVES, WITHIN THREE 
53 
(3) YEARS COUNTED FROM THE DATE OF DEATH OF SUCH 
54 
COVERED WORKERS, OTHERWISE, THE CLAIM SHALL BE 
55 
BARRED: PROVIDED, THAT: THE APPLICATION SHALL BE 
56 
SUPPORTED BY AN AFFIDAVIT EXECUTED BY THE CLAIMANT 
57 
ATTESTING TO THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DECEASED 
4 


, ' 
• 
1 
COVERED WORKER OR SMALL FARM CULTIVATOR, AND THE 
2 
FACT THAT THE CLAIMANT IS THE BENEFICIARY TO THE 
3 
EXCLUSION OF THE OTHERS. 
4 
5 
c) DOCUMENTATION AND REPORTING. IN ADDITION TO THE 
6 
REQUIRED FINANCIAL REPORT FOR LIQUIDATION OF CASH 
7 
ADVANCES ON THE SWDBF, THE REGIONAL OFFICE SHALL 
8 
SUBMIT TITlE STATUS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 
9 
PROGRAM ON A MONTHLY BASIS. 
10 
11 
ANY 
UNUSED 
PORTION 
OF 
THE 
SWDBF 
SHALL 
BE 
12 
TRANSFERRED AND ADDED TO THE 10% SOCIO ECONOMIC 
13 
FUND OF THE SPECIFIC FUND OF THE SPECIFIC MILL DISTRICT 
14 
FOR THE FOLLOWING CROP YEAR. 
15 
16 
17 
SEC. 8. There shall be added a Section 10-C which shall read, as follows: 
18 
19 
Sec. 10-C. SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND 
20 
21 
a) THERE SHALL BE A SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND TO BE 
22 
ADMINISTERED AND MANAGED BY THE DOLE, THROUGH THE 
23 
BUREAU OF WORKERS WITH SPECIAL CONCERNS AND ALL 
24 
INCOMES AND INTERESTS THEREOF SHALL BE HELD IN A 
25 
SPECIAL TRUST ACCOUNT IN AN AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT 
26 
DEPOSITORY BANK. 
27 
28 
THE BUREAU SHALL RELEASE THE SAID FUND TO THE DTC 
29 
CONCERNED AND SUBSEQUENT RELEASE OF THE SAID FUND 
30 
TO 
THE 
DTCS 
SHALL 
BE 
EFFECTED 
THROUGH 
FUND 
31 
REPLENISHMENT. 
32 
33 
b) CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTITLEMENT. - THE 
34 
DTC SHALL RELEASE THE SAID FUND TO TESDA-ACCREDITED 
35 
TRAINING 
CENTERS 
UPON 
SUBMISSION 
OF 
PROOF 
OF 
36 
QUALIFIED 
BENEFICIARIES 
FROM 
LEGITIMATE 
SUGAR 
37 
WORKERS AND THEIR BENEFICIARIES. THE DTC MAY ALSO 
38 
AWARD SCHOLARSHIP TO SUGAR WORKERS AND THEIR 
39 
DEPENDENTS FOR PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND TERTIARY 
40 
EDUCATION IN GOVERNMENT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AS 
41 
MAY 
BE 
DETERMINED 
BY 
THE 
SECRETARY 
UPON 
42 
RECOMMENDATION BY THE STC. 
43 
44 
45 
SEC. 9. There shall be added a Section 10-0 which shall read, as follows: 
46 
47 
Sec. 10-0. ANNUAL OPERATION BUDGET PREPARATION, THE 
48 
BUREAU 
OF 
WORKERS 
WITH 
SPECIAL 
CONCERNS 
SHALL 
49 
PREPARE AN ANNUAL OPERATIONAL BUDGET RELATIVE TO THE 
50 
IMPLEMENTATION 
OF 
THIS ACT 
FOR 
APPROVAL 
BY THE 
51 
SECRETARY UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE STC AND THE DTC 
52 
CONCERNED. 
53 
54 
55 
SEC. 10. The Secretary of Labor and Employment shall implement the sharing 
56 
as provided herein and, upon consultation with the Sugar Tripartite Council, 
5 


, . 
• 
I 
promulgate such rules and regulations, as may be necessary to carry out the 
2 
provisions of this Act. 
3 
4 
5 
SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall at any time be 
6 
found to be unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder thereof not affected by such 
7 
declaration shall remain in full force and effect. 
S 
9 
10 
SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. -All laws, decrees, rules or regulations inconsistent 
11 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
12 
13 
14 
SEC. 13. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
15 
following its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
Approved, 
6