" 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
S.B. No.2575 
Introduced by SEN, MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
'10 
NOV -3 P6 :09 
Section 22, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that "the State recognizes and 
promotes the rights of indigenous cultural communities within the framework of national unity 
and development." 
This bill seeks to ensure equal employment opportunities to members of 'indigenous 
cultural communities. 
Under this measure, the government shall, in areas where indigenous cultural 
communities predominate, reserve at least ten percent (10%) of the rank and file positions in 
government service in these areas for the employment of members of these communities. 
Furthermore, it is proposed that private enterprises with operations in areas where 
indigenous cultural communities exist and which obtains loans, grants, or any kind of financial 
assistance from the government or any government-owned or controlled bank or financial 
institution in the amount equivalent to at least thirty percent (30%) of its total assets, shall give 
preferential employment to members of these communities for their operations in these areas 
by hiring them in to at least ten percent (10%) of its labor force. 
The benefits and safeguards embodied in this bill are some of the necessary 
mechanisms to enforce and guarantee the realization of the rights of indigenous peoples, 
taking into consideration their customs, traditions, values. 
Hence, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 


• 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
S.B. No.2575 
Introduced by SEN, MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
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'10 
NOV -3 P6:09 
TO ENSURE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO MEMBERS OF 
INDIGENOUS CULTURAL COMMUNITIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote social justice by 
ensuring equal employment opportunities to members of .indigenous cultural communities and to 
give them preference in areas where they are predominant. 
SEC. 2. It shall be unlawful for an employer: 
a) To refuse to hire or to discriminate against, with respect to compensation, terms, 
conditions of employment, or to discharge, any person because of his religion or ethic origin; or 
It shall be unlawful for an employer: 
b) To group; segregate or classify' employees in a way which would deprive or tend to 
deprive any person of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect his status as an 
employee because of his religion or ethnic origin. 
SEC. 3. It shall be unlawful for any union or federation: 
a) To exclude or expel from its membership any person because of his religion or ethnic 
origin; or 
b) To cause or attempt to cause an employer to discriminate against a person because of 
the latter's religion or ethnic origin. 
The foregoing notwithstanding, it shall not be unlawful to employ any person on the basis 
of his religion or ethnic origin in those instances where religion or ethnic origin is a bona fide 
occupational qualification reasonably necessary for the formal operation of the business or 
enterprise. Neither shall it be unlawful for a school, college, university or other educational 
institution to employ only a person of a particular religion or ethnic origin if the curriculum of 
such institution is aimed towards the propagation of such religion or ethnic aggrupation. 
SEC. 4. The government shall, in areas where indigenous cultural communities 
predominate, reserve at least ten percent (10%) of the rank and file positions in government 


.. 
service in these areas for the employment of members of these communities; Provided, That that 
appointments must be in accordance with the civil service laws. 
SEC. 5. Every private enterprise with operations in areas where indigenous cultural communities 
predominate and which obtains loans, grants, or any kind of financial assistance from the 
government or any government-owned or controlled bank or financial institution in the amount 
equivalent to at least thirty percent (30%) of its total assets shall give preferential employment to 
members of these communities for their operations in these areas by hiring them into at least ten 
percent (10%) of its labor force. 
SEC. 6. Every employer shall respect the employee's right to actively participate in his religious 
or ethnic activities. 
SEC. 7. Any person responsible for the violation of any of the provisions of this Act shall be 
liable to pay a fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos (PIOO,OOO.OO) nor more than 
five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months 
nor more than six (6) years, or both. 
SEC. 8. Chapter V, Section 23 of Republic Act 8371, Book 111, Title 111, Book V, Title V, 
Article 246 of Presidential Decree 442, as amended, and any law or parts thereof inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 9. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers or general circulation, whichever comes 
earlier. 
Approved,