Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezzch Cftdy
NIRETRENTH cONaREss
First Regular Session
H®use`£firNo.6907
Introduced by Representative
GERVILLE ``JINKY BITRICS" R. LUISTRO
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the economy of the country.
Businesses sustained flnancial reverses.  Most companies were constrained to
retrench employees to prevent losses. Some suspended their operations. Worse,
others closed shop.  Consequently, unemployment became prevalent. The only
alternative left for most people was to go back to the provinces since living in
the metropolis became unbearable.
Noteworthy, even before the onset of the pandemic, urban congestion is
already  a  grave  problem.  It  led  to  a multitude  of other  social  and  economic
difficulties that the government has to address, such as the prevalence of crime.
Accordingly,  there is a pressing necessity to develop the provinces,  cities, and
municipalities  in  the  countryside  by  institutionalizing  measures  that  will
ensure the creation of employment for the people.
This  draft  bill  aims  to  create  local  employment  opportunities  for  the
people.
This measure intends to adopt a "Localized Job Opportunities Plan" for
each  Province,  City,  and  Municipality  in  the  country.  It  shall  have,  among
others:
a.) A sustainable program for public and private sector investment and
participation;
b.) A grant of fiscal and similar incentives for labor-intensive businesses;
c.) A comprehensive measure to support local micro, small, and medium
enterprises;


d.) A development prograln for local infrastructure,  and training of the
local work pool.
This bill proposes to adopt a policy of "priority of employment for locals."
Pemanent residents of the province, city, or municipality shall be preferred in
employment,  provided  that  the  applicant  is  qualified  for  the  position  being
applied for. To be considered as a local, the person availing the benefits of this
measure must be (i) born and raised in the province, city or municipality; (ii) the
latter's legal spouse; or (iii) a permanent resident for a period of not less than 20
years from the passage of this Act.
The  "priority  of employment  for  locals"  policy  applies  to  all  forms  and
nature   of  employment  whether  regular,   probationary,   temporary,   casual,
seasonal,  contractual,  or outsourced;  management  and whether the position
applied for is supervisory, rank and file, professional, technical or vocational.
Once  this  measure  is  institutionalized  and  fully  implemented,  urban
migration and congestion will be lessened as there is no more necessity for people
to leave their provinces, cities, and municipalities.
Undersigned earnestly seek the immediate consideration and passage of
this proposed measure.
LUIS
BITRICS'' R
nlcitive


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon Cirty
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Flr§t Regular Session
` ,.  1  ,t`.  1  ,-
House .Bin No. 6907
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE
GERVILLE R. LUISTRO
AIL ACT
MANDATING THE LOCALIZATION OF .08 OPPORTUNITIES
Be it ervacted bg the Serur±e and House Of Represeritafives Of the Phihippines in
Congress assemhied,
Section 1.  Short "t!e. -This Act shall be known as the "Locazizczft.on a/
Job opportu:rifles Act Of 2023."
Section 2.  Dec!arat±on o/ Pozicg. - It is hereby declared the policy of
the State to  (i) provide employment and livelihood opportunities,  especially in
the  countryside,  (ii)  improve  the  quality  of life  in  rural  areas,  (iii)  minimize
urban  migration  and  congestion,   (iv)   empower  local  governments,   and  (v)
achieve inclusive growth.
Section 3.  CreatzorL a/ local uob Opporfz.ndtfes. -The Department of
14abor and Employment (DOLE), in coordination with the Department of Trade
and  Industry  (DTI),  the  Board  of Investments  (801),  along with  all  regional,
provincial,   city,   and   other   local   field   offices,   and   the   pertinent   Local
Government  Unit  (LGU)  Executive,  shall  draft  a  Localized Job  Opportunities
Plan for each Province, City, and Municipality. The Localized Job Opportunities
Plan shall include:
•   A sustainable program for public and private sector investment and
participation;
•    Grant of fiscal,  facilitation of business permit and/or license,  among
other incentives, particularly for businesses that are labor intensive or
creates more permanent employment opportunities;
•    Support for local micro, small, and medium enterprises;


•    Development of local infrastructure,  including transport,  power,  and
telecommunications;
•    'Ihaining and development of local job seekers to enhance employability;
and,
•    Other support services.
Section 4. Przorzty Zri Etryzovment. - All companies shall adhere to the
ppoliey of "priority of employment for locals" where permanent residents of the
province, city, or municipality, shall be preferred in employment, provided that
the applicant is aualifled for the position being applied for. To be considered as
a local, the person availing the benefits of this measure must be  (i) born and
raised in the province, city or municipality; (ii) the latter's legal spouse; or (iii) or
a permanent resident for a period of not less than 20 years from the passage of
thisAct.
Seczthain  6.   No   Dtstir\ictton  as   to   Tiipe   Of  Job   Opporcunlty   or
ftyplqg/ment. - The "priority of employment for locals" policy applies to all forms
and nature of empleyment whether regular, probationary, temporary, casual,
seasonal,  contractual,  or outsourced;  management and whether the position
applied for is supervisory, rank and file, professional, technical or vocational.
Section 6.   O«az{/Zed local AzapzzcarLts -'The "priority of employment for
locals" poliey applies only when the local has all the necessary educational, work
experience,  and  expertise  to  discharge  the  functions  and  the  duties  of the
pposition being applied for.  However, if no other local is qualified to be hired, the
employer can secure the services of a non-local so as not to impede the business
operations of the company.
Section 7.  Penalt!cs /or Vlohatloris. -Any person, corporate director,
or officer who violates  Sections  4  and  5  of this Act  shall  suffer the following
penalties:
(1)       For the first violation, a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos
(Php50,OOO.00)     but     not     exceeding     One     hundred     thousand     pesos
(Phpl00,000.00); and
(2)      F`or any subsequent violations, a fine of not less than one hundred
thousand  pesos  Phpl00,000.00)  but  not  exceeding  Two  hundred  thousand
pesos (P200,000.00) for every violation.
Section 8. Revocation ®f Bueinees Permit - Violation of this Act shall be
a cause for the cancellation and revocation of the business permit, franchise,
and other similar privileges granted to the erring entity.


Section  9.  Japzermentirig  Rt4Zes  and Regz4Zacton.  -  Within  sixty  (60)
days  after the effectivity of this Act,  the DOLE,  in coordination with the DTI,
Sol  and PEZA,  shall promulgate  the necessaLry rules  and regulations  for the
proper implementation of this Act.
Section 10. Appropriattoiis. - Funds necessary for the implementation
of this Act shall be sourced out from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) and
from the intemally generated funds of DOLE.
Section  11.  Separab£Zztg Czaz4se. -If any provision of this Act, or any
parts thereof, is declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity
and effectivity of the other portions.
Section 12. Repcazing Czattse. - All laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees,  rules  and regulations,  and  other issuances contrary or inconsistent
with this Act shall be deemed repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 13. E#ectirity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
APPROVED.