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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF 
First Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINE 
s. 
Jut4 30 P5 5 1  
THE REPUBLI 
E 
T E  
e
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NO. 
htroduced by Senator S. R. Osmefia Ill 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Studies of economic development show that the massive 
employment of women in commercial and industrial ventures was one of 
the main factors underlying rapid economic growth in the development of 
Western economies. The technological innovations early in the 21 st 
century enabled more and more women to move out of their homes to join 
the labor market leading to quantitative and qualitative changes in 
economic output. An expanded role in political life has also matched the 
increasing participation of women in the economy. 
Insights from the more recent experiences of developing countries 
such as India and Bangladesh also show that the increased participation 
of women in market activities especially in rural areas contributed 
significantly to poverty alleviation, and to the development of vigorous self- 
help com mu n it ies. 
Meanwhile, the recently evolving roles of women need to be 
balanced with society’s continuing need for homemakers - wives and 
mothers who must continue to nurture the family as the basic social unit, 
and to mold the next generation in the humanist values that must be 
preserved and propagated to build a kinder, gentler society for the future. 
The United Nations General Assembly declared 1975 as the 
“International Women’s Year” with its central theme of “Equality, 
Development and Peace”. Presidential Decree 633 created the National 
Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW) as an ad hoc 
commission to prepare the local programs in response to this UN 
Declaration. More than a decade hence, there is a need to institutionalize 
the functions of the NCRFW to pursue 
policies 
aimed at the full 
integration and mobilization of women in the national economic and 
political and cultural life. 
This bill proposes the creation of the National Commission on 
Women 
which will absorb the functions 
of the NCRFW on a more 
permanent basis. Among others, the Commission will be mandated to 
articulate the women’s perspective in government, formulate and 
implement policies that will seek to maximize the benefits to society from 


harnessing women’s creativity and ingenuity in the nation’s economic, 
political, social and cultural live. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is 
earnestly requested. 
c & 
SERGIQ QSMENA 111 
Senator 


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TH CONGRESS OF Thl 
JWN 30 P5 :SI 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 ” 
First Regular Session 
Introduced by Senator S. R. OsmeAa 111 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING 
THE 
PHILIPPINE 
COMMISSION ON 
WOMEN, 
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Philippine 
Commission on Women Act of 2004.”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the role of 
women in nation-building and shall ensure the fundamental equality before 
the law of women and men. The State shall provide women equal rights 
and opportunities as that of men. 
SEC. 3. Creation of the Philippine Commission on Women. - To 
carry out the purposes of this Act, the Philippine Commission on Women 
(PCW), hereinafter referred to as the Commission, is hereby established. 
The Commission shall have the status and category of a governmental 
national agency attached to the Office of the President. 
SEC. 4. Objectives of the Cornmission. - The objectives of the 
Commission are: 
(a) To provide the leadership and direction to the integration of 
women as full and equal partners in development and nation- 


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building, 
particularly 
giving 
emphasis 
to 
grass-roots 
participation; and 
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(b) To encourage participation of all sectors, government and 
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private, in all efforts for the promotion and development of 
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women. 
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SEC. 5. Functions of the Commission. - The Commission shall 
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have the following functions: 
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a) To advise the President and the Cabinet in formulating policies 
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and plans for the integration and mobilization of women in 
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national development based on equality of protection and 
opportunity; 
b) To serve as a rallying agency for women in the national and 
intern a tiona I levels; 
c) To formulate policies, set priorities and coordinate the 
preparation of national development plans for women; 
d) To monitor compliance with 
laws and coordinate with 
government agencies in the implementation of laws and policies 
affecting women; 
e) To serve as a data base and information center for women; 
f) To provide support to NGOs through networking, technical 
assistance and fund intermediation; 
g) To conduct research on gender integration and development; 
h) To undertake continuing advocacy through mass media. 
SEC. 6. 
Composition of the Commission. - The powers and 
functions of the Commission shall be exercised by a Board of 
Commissioners hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be 
composed of nineteen (1 9) members, including the Chairperson, qualified 
and/or represented as follows: 


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a. 
b. 
C. 
A Chairperson with previous experience in women in national 
and international development work. The Chairperson shall 
have the rank of an Undersecretary; 
Nine (9) members, representing the Departments of Labor and 
Employment, National Economic and Development Authority, 
Social Welfare and Development, Agriculture, Education, 
Culture and Sports, Health, Foreign Affairs, Interior and Local 
Government, and Trade and Industry with Undersecretary-level 
positions; 
Nine 
(9) 
members 
coming 
from 
non-governmental 
organizations, representing media, the arts, the academe, the 
cultural communities, the Muslim and non-Muslim groups, urban 
and rural poor, the youth, and business and industry, and 
women networks; 
The members of the Board including the Chairperson shall be 
appointed by the President of the Philippines. 
SEC. 7. Qualification.- No person shall be appointed as member 
to the Board unless she is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines; of good 
moral character; of unquestioned integrity and responsibility and who has 
recognized expertise or exposure or experience in women-related issues. 
SEC. 8. Term of Office. - The term of office of the members of the 
Board shall be co-terminus with that of the term of the President: 
Provided, That the members of the existing Board of the National 
Commission on the Role of Filipino Women shall complete their terms of 
office. Any vacancy in the Board created by death, resignation or removal 
of an appointive member shall be filled by the appointment of a new 
member to complete the unexpired period of the term of the member 
concerned. 


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SEC. 9. Meeting. - The Board shall meet at least once a month on 
such day as it may fix. Special meetings may be convoked upon the call of 
the Chairperson. The presence of ten ( I O )  members shall constitute a 
quorum and no decision shall be made without the concurrence of at least 
ten ( I O )  members. In the absence of the Chairperson, a temporary 
presiding officer may be designated by a majority of the Board. 
SEC. 10. Powers and Duties of the Board of Commissioners. - 
For the attainment of its objectives as set forth in Section 4 hereof, the 
Board shall the following powers and duties: 
a. To determine the organizational structure of PCW; 
b. To prescribe policies, adopt plans and programs, formulate, 
review and monitor the implementation of rules, regulations and 
procedures governing the operations of the PCW; 
c. To approve annual or supplemental budgets of the PCW as 
recommended by the Executive Director; 
d. To authorize appropriation of special funds for projects or 
activities outside the regular programs of the agency; 
e. To 
issue 
memorandum circulars, guidelines 
and 
other 
pronouncements pursuant to its functions; 
f. To enter into contracts and to engage the services of NGOs, 
experts and institutions in the implementation of its plans and 
activities; 
g. To appoint and/or recommend official delegates to international 
conferences related to women’s concern; 
h. To acquire, use and administer any land, building, facilities, 
equipment, tools and/or exercise rights of possession or 
ownership thereof, as may be necessary or expedient for the 
attainment of the purposes of this Act; 


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i. To solicit and accept, on behalf of the PCW, donations, gifts, 
grants or bequests in pursuit of its mandates and objectives; 
and 
j. To perform such other acts as it may deem appropriate for the 
proper enforcement of this Act. 
SEC. 
11. 
Powers and Duties of the Chairperson. - 
The 
Chairperson shall have the following powers and duties: 
a. To call and preside over the meetings of the Board; 
b. To prepare the agenda for the meetings of the Board and to 
submit for the consideration of the Board the policies and 
measures which she believes to be necessary to carry out the 
purposes of this Act. 
c. To constitute special committees composed of members of the 
Board of such other experts as may be deemed necessary. 
d. To perform such other related functions as may directed by the 
President, 
SEC. 
12. 
Remuneration. - The members of the Board shall 
receive a per diem of not more than One Thousand Pesos (PI ,000.00) for 
each meeting of the Board actually attended: Provided, however, That the 
total per diems paid to a Board member shall not exceed the sum of Four 
Thousand Pesos (P4,OOO.OO) in any one month. 
SEC. 
13. 
Executive 
Director, 
Appointment, 
Term 
and 
Qualifications. - There shall be an Executive Director who shall be 
appointed by the President of the Philippines on recommendation of the 
Board, The Executive Director shall be the administrative officer of the 
Board. He shall have had adequate training and/or expertise in women’s 
development work with managerial capability. His term of office shall be 
co-terminus with the President of the Philippines and shall received a 
compensation as may be determined by the Board. 


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SEC. 
14. 
Duties of the Executive Director. - The Executive 
Director shall have the following powers and duties: 
a. 
b. 
C. 
d. 
Implement the policies and programs formulated by the Board; 
Supervise the staff and administer the day-to-day operations of 
the Commission; 
Prepare, disburse, and administer the approved budget of the 
Commission; 
Appoint, subject to Civil Service Law, the officers and staff of the 
PCW, provided that appointments for positions of Deputy 
Director and Division Chiefs shall be subject to ratification of the 
Board. 
SEC. 15. Other Officials and Employees of the Commission. - 
The Executive Director shall be assisted by three (3) Deputy Directors as 
follows: 
a. One (I) 
Deputy Director for Legislation, Research Data-base 
and nformation Center and Planning; 
b. One (1) Deputy Director for Media, Special Concerns, 
Capa b i I ity-b u i Id i ng and Networking ; and 
c. One (1) Deputy Director for Administration including foreign- 
assisted projects. 
SEC. 
16. 
Divisions of the Commission. - There shall be 
established nine (9) divisions in the Commission composed of the 
following: 
a. 
Administrative - legal; 
budget, accounting, cashiering, 
supplies, records, general servicedmain tena nce, foreig n- 
assisted projects. 
b. 
Planning - technical assistance, planning, monitoring and 
eval u at ion. 


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C. 
d. 
e. 
f. 
g. 
h. 
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Capability Building - training and resource intermediation for 
NGOs. 
Data and Information Center - statistics, library, packaging 
and dissemination. 
Research - includes basic and applied research. 
Media - public education, quick response, popularization of 
policies and laws. 
Legislative - lobbying, bill drafting and commenting, liaison 
with legislative branch. 
Networking - international, local NGOs and LGUs. 
Special Concerns - to handle issues like violence against 
women, migration, etc. 
SEC. 17. Assistance by Government Entities. - The Commission 
may call upon any government entity for assistance in the performance of 
its functions and duties, 
SEC. 18, Appropriation. - There is hereby appropriated the sum of 
Twenty-Five Million Pesos (P25,OOO.OO) out of the funds of the National 
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the organizational and 
operational expenses of the Commission: Provided, That the operating 
expenses of the Commission shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of its 
annual appropriation and that at least eighty percent (80%) of said annual 
appropriation shall be disbursed for the national development plan for 
women particularly on gender responsiveness: Provided, finally, That the 
amount stated in the preceding paragraph shall automatically be included 
in the General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 19. Abolished Agencies. - The National Commission on the 
Role of Filipino Women is hereby abolished and its functions, applicable 
appropriations, records, equipment, property, rights, claims and such other 
incidental things as may be necessary are transferred to the Commission: 


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Provided, That employees of the National Commission on the Role of 
Filipino Women, particularly the rank and file, shall be absorbed by the 
Commission. 
SEC. 
20. Repealing Clause. - 
All laws, presidential decrees, 
executive orders, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or 
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 21. Separability Clause. - If any part of provision of this Act 
is held unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which 
are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 22. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) 
days following its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved,