THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Iiitroduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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The Constitution, Article 13, Section 14, mandates the State to “protect working women 
by providing safe and healthful working conditions, taking into account their maternal functions, 
and such other facilities and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to 
realize their full potential in the service of the nation.” 
Such provision would be ineffectual if women are not informed of the rights g aranteed 
ertinent 
by law. To this date, employers are not required by any law to furnish women 
information regarding their work conditions 
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This bill seeks to grant and strengthen the right of women to be informed of work 
conditions which affect their health, by providing punishment for employers who will deny such 
right. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
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..Ji- 26 ;; 1 :$ 
First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
GRANTING WOMEN THE FUGHT TO KNOW 
WORK CONDITIONS AFFECTING THEIR HEALTH 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: - 
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SECTION llshort Title. -This 
Act shall be known as the ‘‘Women’s Protection 
Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - 
The Constitution directs the State to 
protect working women by providing safe and healthful working conditions, 
account their maternal functions, and such other facilities and 
enhance their welfare and enable them to realize their full 
nation. To achieve this mandate, it is declared a state 
know work conditions which affect their health. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. -For 
purposes of this Act, the terms: 
(1) “Employer” includes any person acting in the interest of an employer, directly 
or indirectly. The term shall not include any labor organization or any of its officers or 
agents except when acting as an employer; and 
(2) “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of Labor and Employment. 
SECTION 4. Requiredlnformation. - 
(1) The prospective employer shall furnish 
in writing the following information to all women applicants: 
(A) The danger which workers are exposed to or might be exposed to; 
(B) The medical and health benefits which workers are entitled to, including 
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maternity leave benefits and the availability of family planning services; 


(C) The health hazards associated with this work, including hazards that may 
affect their maternal functions. 
(D) The availability of facilities for women which are required under Presidential 
Decree No. 442, as amended, also known as the Labor Code of the Philippines, Section 
132. 
(2) Women already employed prior to the effectivity of this Act shall likewise be 
furnished information required under paragraph 1 of this section. 
SECTION 5. Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Labor and 
Employment shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the 
purpose of this Act. 
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SECTION 6. Annual Report. - 
The Secretary shall submit an annual report to 
the President. The report shall include the following; 
(1) A list of work hazards, especially those that affect women’s maternal 
functions; 
(2) A list of employers found to have violated any provision of this Act; 
(3) Rate of compliance o f  employers with the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 7. Penalty.-Any 
violation of Section 4 of this Act shall be punished 
with a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (Pl0,OOO.OO) but not more than Twenty 
Thousand Pesos (P20,OOO.OO) or imprisonment of not less than three (3)months but not 
more than six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the court. If the offense is 
committed by a corporation, trust, firm, partnership, or association or entity, 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - 
If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 


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SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - 
Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
order, letter o f  instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or 
the provisions o f  this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 10. ESfectivity Clause. -This 
Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers o f  general circulation. 
Approved. 
FN: 1159