Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HousE`jifL-No.654l
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Introduced by Representative CAMILLE A. VILLAR
AN ACT
GRANTING   13th   MONTH   PAY   TO   CONTRACTUAL   AND   JOB   ORDER
PERSONNEL 0F THE GOVERNMENT
EXPLANATORY NOTE
It  is  a  declared  policy  of  the  State  to  affirm  ``labor  as  a  primary  social
economic force.  It shall protect the rights of workers  and  promote their welfare''
(Article 11, Section 18 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution).
Also, labor rights are rooted in the Constitution, with drafters dedicating a
full provision, setting forth rules and laws that are beneficial to labor, as related to in
Article XIII, Section 3, to wit:
``The  State  shall  afford  full  protection  to  labor,  local  and  overseas,
organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality
of employment opportunities for all.
It shall guarantee the rights of all workers to self-organization, collective
bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities, including
the  right  to  strike  in  accordance  with  law.  They  shall  be  entitled  to
security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They
shall also participate in poliey and decision-making processes affecting
their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.
The State shall promote the principle of shared  responsibility between
workers and employers and the preferential use of voluntary modes in
settling disputes, including conciliation, and shall enforce their mutual
compliance therewith to foster industrial peace.


The State shall regulate the relations between workers and employers,
recognizing the right of labor to its just share in the fruits of production
and the right of enterprises to reasonable returns on investments, and to
expansion and growth."
According  to  the  Labor  Force  Survey  released  by  the  Philippine  Statistics
Authority for September 2022, there were an estimated 4.5 million workers in the
government sector.
A  separate  government  data  also  indicated  there  were  some  642,000  non-
permanent government hires as of June 2022-bigger than the combined strength of
the  Armed  Forces  of the  Philippines  and  the  Philippine  National  Police-whose
contracts  are not ended but  are  renewed every  after  a  short-term period.  Of this
number, there were 493,900 "job order" and 148,100 were on a contractual basis.
These ``temporary hires" had been languishing in government agencies and
state-owned corporations for several years, some even decades, and their work and
competeney  could  be  akin with  the permanent hires.  Despite their  service  to  the
public,  they  are  not entitled  to  legally  mandated  bonuses  especially  accorded  to
regular state workers, such as the 13th month pay.
For the benefit of thousands of job order and contractual personnel working
in the government amid the rising prices, approval of this measure is immediately
sought.
odyndth cd"^
CAMILLE A. VILLAR


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HousE`B~`I£L-.No.654l
Introduced by Representative CAMILLE A. VILLAR
AN ACT
GRANTING   13th   MONTH   PAY   TO   CONTRACTUAL   AND   JOB   ORDER
PERSONNEL OF THE GOVERNMENT
Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  Of Representatives  Of the  Philippines  in  Congress
assembled:
Sccfi.o7i I. SJ?o7-f T!.fJc. -This Act shall be known as the "13th Month Pay Law for
Contractual and Job Order Personnel."
Scc.  2.  Dcc!¢r#£I.or! a/ PoZ!.ey.  - The State affirms labor as a primary and social
economic  force.  It  shall  protect the rights  of workers  and  promote their welfare,
regardless of their status of employment.
Sac. 3. Cot)er¢gc. -This Act shall cover all government employees, regardless of
their employment status, contractual or job order personnel, provided that they have
completed at least one contract (minimum of three months) with the government
before July 1 of the ourrent fiscal year, prior to the granting of the 13th month pay.
Sec.  4.  Mandatory  Payment  Of  13th  Month  Pay.  -  A;n  govemmen+  employees
regardless of their employment status, contractual or job order personnel, shall be
entitled to 13th month pay every year.
Scc.  5.  M!.r".mzt7" A7How7t£.  - The minimum  amount of the 13th month pay for
contractual and job order personnel shall not be less than one-half of the monthly
salary by the employee based on histher current contract with the government.
Scc. 6. JmpJcmc7ifi.ng Rwlcs. - Within sixty days from the enactment of this law,
the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall promulgate the guidelines


for this Act.
Scc.  7.  Scp#r#bz7!.dy CJ¢c/sc.   -  If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional,  the other provisions hereof which are not affected  thereby  shall
continue to be in full force and effect.
Scc.   8.   Rapc4zZz.ng   afl#se.   -   All  laws,   decrees,   executive   orders,   letters   of
instructions, proclamations, mles and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with
this Act shall be deemed notified, amended, or repealed accordingly.
Scc.  9.  £#ecfi.z».fry  afl#sc.  - This Act shall take effect fifteen  (15)  days  after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,