-3 
7 v ,  
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
I 
C i i ,  
I ’ i  
t ’ : :  
First Regular Session 
) 
19h7 
a 
SENATE 
S. No. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 4 mandates the State to recognize the role of 
women in nation-building. This mandate requires the State to give women opportunities 
that will enhance their welfare and realize their full potential in the service of the nation. 
In order to help our economy recover, the full potential of every Filipino must be 
realized. Every Filipino must be given chance to be productive and play his or her part in 
building a nation we can all lie proud of., Every one must be given a chance 
notwithstanding the person’s gender, age, or creed. 
This bill seeks to empower women in business enterprise by giving them the 
necessary assistance to attain their fullest potential in the field of trade and business. 


5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
7 3 R  1i3 i’ j :I 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
EMPOWERING WOMEN BY PROVIDING THEM WITH FINANCIAL, 
EDUCATIONAL, AND INFORMATION ASSISTANCE IN ORDER FOR THEM TO 
EXCEL IN COMMERCE AND TRADE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Women 
Empowerment in Enterprise Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - In accordance with the mandate of the 
Constitution, it is declared, a State policy to grant women assistance and opportunities in 
enterprise that will enhance their welfare their full potential in order for them to play their 
role in nation-building and serve the nation. 
SECTION 3. Dejnition of Terms. -For purposes of this Act, the terms: 
(1) “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of Labor and Employment; 
(2) “Department” refers to the Department of Labor and Employment; and 
(3) “Committee” refers to the Women in Enterprise Assistance and Advisory 
Committee. 
SECTION 4. Development Program. -The Secretary shall adopt and implement a 
Women in Enterprise Development Program which provides women with financial, 
educational and information assistance, as provided for in the subsequent Sections of this 
Act. 
SECTION 5. Financial Assistance. - The Secretary shall provide financial 
assistance to women: 
1 


6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
(1) to support the creation of small to medium-size businesses in which 
women can readily participate; 
(2) to foster investment in business substantially owned or managed by 
women; and 
(3) to enable such women to further their education. 
SECTION 6. Educational Assistance. - The Secretary shall, with the aid and 
cooperation of the Secretary of Education, provide scholarship and educational 
assistance: 
(1) to encourage women to participate in the processes of local and national 
government and to stimulate the interest of women in business; 
(2) to prepare women for involvement in government and business; 
(3) to provide opportunities for women to gain practical experience in 
government and business through internship or on-the-job apprenticeships while 
in school; and 
(4) to identify women with leadership potential to serve as role models, and to 
assist such women in furthering their education and obtaining suitable positions in 
the public or private sector. 
The Secretary of Education shall take the interest of women in consideration, 
specially their development in enterprise, in adopting curricula, policies and guidelines 
for secondary and post-secondary education. 
SECTION 7. Information Assistance. - The Department shall create and establish 
a local resource centers in its provincial which offer to women interested in careers in 
business, government, or related fields: 
(1) hasic course in accounting, bookkeeping, and marketing practices, and 
other courses; and 
(2) workshop, informational materials, career counseling, and assistance in the 
local community. 
7 


1 
2 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
SECTION 8. Establishment of Committee. - The Secretary shall establish a 
“Women in Enterprise Assistance and Advisory Committee.” 
SECTION 9. Composition. - The Committee shall be composed of Secretary as 
the Chairman and eight (8) members appointed by the said Secretary, including: 
(1) One (1) representative of a labor organization; 
(2) Two (2) representatives of the Department of Labor and Employment; 
(3) Two (2) representatives of the Department of Education; and 
(4) Three (3) members of the general public, of whom at least (2) shall be 
women engaged in an enterprise as an owner or part owner. 
SECTION 10. Functions of the Committee. - The Women in Enterprise 
Assistance and Advisory Committee shall have the following functions: 
(1) make recommendations regarding prevention of gender discrimination in 
the area of business and trade; 
(2) study and recommend ways to empower women in the field of business 
and trade; 
(3) identify areas around the country where women may excel not only in the 
field of business and trade but also in career service in the government; 
(4) approve and disapprove application of women candidates applying for any 
assistance under this Act; and 
(5) formulate the necessary rules and regulations; 
SECTION 11. Term of Ofice. - Members of the Committee shall be appointed 
for a term of three (3) years, except that of the members first appointed, three (3) shall be 
appointed for a term of one (1) year, two (2) shall be appointed for a term of two (2) 
years, and two (2) shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years, as determined by the 
Secretary. 
SECTION 12. Meetings. - The Committee shall meet not less than four (4) times 
a year or at the call of the Secretary. 
3 


8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
SECTION 13. Compensation, - Members of the Committee shall be compensated 
at a rate equivalent to an employee of the National Government occupying a salary grade 
25 position, except those already employed by the Philippine Government. 
SECTION 14. Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such sum 
as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. 
Thereafter, the sums necessary for the continuous operation of the centers shall be 
included in the annual appropriations of the Department of Labor and Employment. 
SECTION 15. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 16. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of inshction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 17. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
4