Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4975

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As a manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this
representation respectfully refiles this measure, which has constantly been
receiving support from the past and present Congress.

Article II Section 16 of the Constitution provides that the State shall protect
and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. In accordance with this
constitutional policy, the proposed measure aims to establish a Green-collar
Jobs Council under the Department of Labor and Employment.

Green-collar jobs play a vital role in preserving the Philippine environment
and ensuring its sustainable development. In order to ensure that this field
continues to develop, it is only proper to provide for strategic initiatives that
will create more green-collar jobs and will make working in the environment
protection industry more appealing. Moreover, the proposed measure
addresses the need to improve on supplementary areas (e.g. education,
information, inter-agency coordination, and stronger LGU involvement, to
name a few) necessary in the development and generation of green-collar

jobs.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this measure is earnestly

sought.

JOHN IN YUL SERVO” C. NIETO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. GB

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

AN ACT
PROMOTING THE CREATION OF GREEN-COLLAR JOBS, PROVIDING A
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of the Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. - This At shall be known as the “Promoting Green-collar
Jobs in the Philippines Act of 2019."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - In accordance with the constitutional
policy that, “The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a
balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of
nature", it is hereby declared that it is every citizen’s responsibility to one
another and to the future generations to see that the Philippine environment
is preserved and protected and that the government has the supreme
intergenerational responsibility and mandate to ensure the sustainable
develop country's environment and Mother Earth.

SECTION 3. Creation of Green-collar Jobs Council. - A Green-collar Jobs
Council, hereinafter called as the Council, is hereby created as a special
organization under the Department of Labor and Employment. The Council
shall be tasked as the premier government body to implement the provisions
of this Act.

The Council shall be headed by the Secretary of the Department of Labor
and Employment and will have the Secretaries of the Department of Trade
and Industry, Environment and Natural Resources and Energy and the
Director-General of the National Economic Development Authority as
members. Four (4) representatives from the private sector and non-
governmental organizations representing management and _ industry,
environmental and conservation advocacy, academic community and local
government shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines.

The Council shall have an Executive Director who will head a lean corps of
competent personnel which will serve as the administrative and technical

secretariat.


SECTION 4. Strategic Initiative for the Creation of Green-collar Jobs.
- The Council shall formulate a Strategic Initiative which will serve as
framework for the promotion and creation of green-collar employment.

The Strategic Initiative shall contain:

a. Strategies and approaches to adopt new ways of looking at industry
sectors and the development of potential new technologies
combined with innovative public policy and strategic investments to
stimulate the growth of new markets for green products and
services;

b. action plans identifying the framework, strategies, programs and
policies partnerships and opportunities necessary to address the
growing need for a highly skilled and well-trained workforce to meet
the needs of the emerging green economy.

c. a data base that identifies and links green-collar job opportunities
with entities, agencies and corporations requiring green-collar
employments. It shall include training programs to assist and
Prepare specific sectors such as displaced and retrenched workers,
at-risk youth and out-of school youth, students, veterans, persons
with disabilities and other facing barriers to employment.

d. dossiers and information emerging green industries workforce

needs, trends, and job growth and funding recommendations on
how to expand and leverage these funds.

e. Such other data that may be significant in the promotion and
propagation of green-collar jobs.

SECTION 5. Immediate Needs for Green-collar Jobs in the Country. -
Initially, the Department of Labor and Employment must publish in its
website and must avail of all free media advertisements announcing
immediate green-collar job opportunities, in such areas as:

a. Coastal clean-up and bay watch projects;

b. Reforestation efforts and tree planting;

c. Construction and designation of bike lanes and installation of solar
powered street lights and other clean energy initiatives,

d. Garbage collection;

e. Planting and replanting of coconut trees to ensure bio-fuel feed
stock;

f. Opportunities in refitting public utility vehicles with liquefied
petroleum gas;

g. Re-electrification of barangays using solar vehicles with liquefied
petroleum;


SEC. 6. Coordination with Local Government Units. - Local Government
Units must assist in the implementation of this Act through the promotion of
green-collar jobs creation.

SEC.7. Incentives. - An incentive scheme is hereby provided for the
purpose of encouraging LGUs, enterprises, or private entities, including
NGOs, to develop or undertake and effective program to generate green-
collar jobs or actively participate in any program geared towards the
Promotion thereof as provided for in this Act.

The Council shall provide a system of incentives to businesses and industries
that are in the promotion and generation of green-collar jobs.

Government financial institutions such as the Development Bank of the
Philippines (DBP), Landbank of the Philippines (LBP), Government Service
Insurance System (GSIS), and such other government institutions providing
financial services shall, in accordance with and to the extent allowed by the
enabling provisions of their respective charters or applicable laws, accord
high priority to extend financial services to individuals, enterprises, or
Private entities that creates green-collar jobs.

SEC. 8. Public Education and Information - The Council shall, in
coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and mass media
organizations, conduct a continuing education and information campaign on
the development and generation of green-collar jobs including:

a. Aim to develop public awareness of the positive effects of green
economy;

b. Encourage the general public to patronize green products and
services and endorse and patronize environmentally acceptable
products and packaging materials.

SEC. 9. Appropriations. - For the initial operating expenses of the Council,
the amount of Twenty million pesos (P20, 000,000.00) is hereby
appropriated from the budget of the DOLE. Thereafter, the Council shall
submit to the Department of Budget and Management its proposed budget
for inclusion in the General Appropriations Act.

In the next five (5) years following the approval of this Act, the government
must appropriate one half of one percent (0.5%) of the annual appropriation
act for various green-collar jobs/employments. In addition, the government
agencies are encouraged to utilize their saving for short- and medium-term
green-collar jobs employment.

SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The Council, in
coordination with the Committees on Environment and Ecology of the Senate
and House of Representatives, respectively, the representatives of the
Leagues of Provinces, Cities, Municipalities and Barangay Councils, the
MMDA and other concerned agencies, shall promulgate the implementing
rules and regulations of this Act, within one (1) year after its enactment.


SEC. 11. Transitory Provision. - Pending the establishment of the
Strategic Initiative under Section 4 hereof, existing laws, regulations,
programs and projects on generation of green-collar jobs shall be enforced:
Provided, that for specific undertaking, the same may be revised in the
interim in accordance with the intentions of this Act.

SEC. 12. Report to Congress. - The Council shall report to Congress not
later than March 30 every year following the approval of this Act, giving a
detailed account of its accomplishments and progress on promotion of
green-collar jobs during the year and make the necessary recommendations
in areas where there is need for legislative action.

SEC. 13. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or the
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,