TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
1255
Senate
of tlif Ciftaip
25 AUG 27 A9:18
RECEIVED BY:
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8759, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OFFICE ACT OF 1999, AS AMENDED, 
TO INCLUDE ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE SCOPE OF THE LAW, TO RENAME 
THE PRESENT PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OFFICE (PESO) INTO THE 
PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP OFFICE (PEESO), AND TO 
ESTABLISH THE BARANGAY EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP 
OFFICES (BEESO) NATIONWIDE, DEFINING ITS ROLE WITHIN THE 
EXISTING NETWORK, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
It is the policy of the State to provide adequate and quality employment and to 
promote equal employment opportunities for all Filipinos. The 1987 Constitution 
likewise recognizes the important role of entrepreneurs in achieving economic growth.
The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that about 2.87 million Filipinos 
were unemployed in March 2022. Meanwhile, the underemployment rate increased 
from 14% in February to 15.8% in March 2022.
Research group IBON even disclosed that while the Philippines is among the 
fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia, it has, however, the worst 
unemployment rate in the region at the onset of this year.
The Department of Trade and Industry reported that entrepreneurs have 
managed to generate 62.4% of the country's employment or over five (5) million jobs. 
Inarguably, the entrepreneurs play a key role in creating job opportunities and 
consequently in stimulating the economic growth of the country.


In this regard, this bill seeks to promote entrepreneurship by including it in the 
coverage of the current Public Employment Service Office (PESO) law. Under the 
proposed measure, the PESO shall be renamed to Public Employment and 
Entrepreneurship Office (PEESO), and a Barangay Employment and Entrepreneurship 
Service Office (BEESO) shall be created, which shall provide a more efficient system 
that would facilitate and regulate the labor market by bridging the gap between the 
job seekers and employers.
This measure further aims to offer employment and entrepreneurship 
opportunities tailored and suited to each job seeker through various training and 
consultations. Finally, this bill intends to not only educate the Filipino job seekers on 
the programs and services of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) but 
also on the importance of entrepreneurship.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought.
EN LEGARDA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. No. 1255
%
^cuaie 
tiie ~tfrrtar?
25 AUG 27 A9:18
RECEIVED by;
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8759, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OFFICE ACT OF 1999, AS AMENDED, 
TO INCLUDE ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE SCOPE OF THE LAW, TO RENAME 
THE PRESENT PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OFFICE (PESO) INTO THE 
PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP OFFICE (PEESO), AND TO 
ESTABLISH THE BARANGAY EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP 
OFFICES (BEESO) NATIONWIDE, DEFINING ITS ROLE WITHIN THE 
EXISTING NETWORK, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 8759, otherwise known as the 'Public
2 
Employment Service Office Act of 1999", as amended by Republic Act No. 10691, is
3 
hereby further amended to read as follows:
4 
"SEC. 3. Establishment of the Public Employment AND
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ENTREPRENEURSHIP Service Office AND THE BARANGAY
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EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP OFFICE. - To carry out
7 
the above declared policy, there shall be established in all
8 
provinces, cities, and municipalities a Public Employment AND
9 
ENTREPRENEURSHIP Service Office, hereinafter referred to as
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'PEESO'.
11 
TO SUPPORT THE PROVINCIAL AND MUNICIPAL PEESO,
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A BARANGAY EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP OFFICE,
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HEREIN REFERRED TO AS 'BEESO', SHALL BE ESTABLISHED IN
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ALL BARANGAYS NATIONWIDE. THE BEESO SHALL EXTEND THE
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REACH OF THE MUNICIPAL PEESO TO THE RURAL AREAS
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WHERE THE BULK OF EMPLOYMENT MODE IS NOT WAGE-BASED
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BUT BASED ON SELF-EMPLOYMENT AND AVAILMENT OF
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LIVELIHOOD OPPORTUNITIES. THE CREATION OF THE BEESO
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SEEKS TO HELP IMPROVE THE ACCESS OF THE RURAL
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WORKFORCE TO EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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SERVICES.
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THE PEESO AND THE BEESO shall be operated and maintained by
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local government units (LGUs). The PEESOs AND THE BEESOs shall be
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linked to the regional offices of the Department of Labor and
11 
Employment (DOLE) for coordination and technical supervision, and to
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the DOLE central office, to constitute the national public employment
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AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP service network.
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The PEESO OR BEESO, AS THE CASE MAY BE, shall be under the
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office of the governor, city municipal mayor, and barangay chairman.
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The PEESO OR BEESO, AS THE CASE MAY BE, shall be initially organized
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by and composed of a PEESO OR BEESO manager and may be assisted
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by a labor and employment officer (LEO) as may be determined by the
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LGU.
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Upon the request of accredited Non-Governmental Organizations
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(NGOs) or Educational Institutions (Els), the DOLE may enter into a
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Memorandum of Agreement for the NGO and El to establish, operate
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and maintain a PEESO AND BEESO and a job placement office,
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respectively.
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To harmonize 
the provision of employment AND
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ENTREPRENEURSHIP services in a given territorial jurisdiction, the
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PEESO AND BEESO at the NGOs and the job placement office in Els shall
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coordinate their activities with the appropriate LGU PEESO OR BEESO,
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AS THE CASE MAYBE."
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Sec. 2. Section 4 of RA 8759, as amended by RA 10691, is hereby
31 
amended to read as follows:


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"SEC. 4. Objectives of the PEESO AND BEESO. - In
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general, the PEESO AND BEESO shall ensure the prompt, timely,
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and efficient delivery of employment AND ENTREPRENEURIAL
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services and provision of information on the other DOLE
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programs.
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Specifically, the PEESO/BEESO shall:
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(a) Provide a venue where people could explore simultaneously
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various wage employment AND ENTREPRENEURIAL option and
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[actually] seek the assistance they prefer;
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(b) Serve as referral and information center for the various services
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and programs of DOLE and other government agencies present
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in the area;
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(c) Provide clients with adequate information on
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ENTREPRENEURSHIP, employment, and labor market situation
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in the area;
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(d) Network with other PEESOs AND BEESOs within the region on
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employment for job exchange purposes[.] AND WITH OTHER
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GOVERNMENT, NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AS WELL AS
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WITH THE PRIVATE AND BUSINESS SECTORS FOR
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INFORMATION EXCHANGE AND ENTREPRENEURIAL
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OPPORTUNITIES."
22 
Sec. 3. Section 5 of RA 8759, as amended by RA 10691, is hereby further
23 
amended to read as follows:
24 
"SEC. 5. Functions of the PEESO AND BEESO. The PEESO
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and BEESO shall have the following functions:
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(a) Encourage employers to REGULARLY submit to the PEESO AND
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BEESO [on a regular basis] a list of job vacancies in their
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respective establishments in order to facilitate the exchange of
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labor market information between job seekers and employers by
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providing employment information services to job seekers, both
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for local and overseas employment, and recruitment assistance
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to employers;
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(b) Develop and administer testing and evaluation instruments for
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effective job selection, training, and counselling;
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(c) SERVE AS VENUE FOR CONVERGENCE BY THE APPROPRIATE
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AGENCIES TO [Pjprovide persons with [qualities]
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ENTREPRENEURSHIP ENHANCEMENT INTERVENTIONS, access
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to the various livelihood and self-employment and information
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programs offered by both government and non-governmental
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organizations at the provincial, city, municipal, and barangay
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levels by undertaking referrals for such program;
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(d) Undertake employability enhancement training[s] or seminars
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for job seekers, as well as those who would like to change
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careers or enhance their employability;
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(e) Provide 
employment or occupational counseling, career
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guidance, mass motivation, and values development activities;
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(f) Conduct 
pre-employment counseling and orientation to
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prospective local and, most especially, overseas workers;
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(g) Provide reintegration assistance services to returning Filipino
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migrant workers;
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(h) Prepare 
and submit to the local Sanggunian an annual
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employment FACILITATION plan and budget including other
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regular funding sources and budgetary support of the PEESO
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AND THE BEESO; [and]
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(i) REFER JOB APPLICANTS WHO MAY NEED FURTHER TRAINING
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OR RETRAINING TO THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS
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DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA) COMMUNITY TRAINING
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FOR EMPLOYMENT COORDINATOR (CTEC) AND 
OTHER
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TRAINING OR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS; AND,
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G) "Perform such functions as to fully carry out the objectives of this
29 
Act."
30 
Sec. 4. Section 6 of RA 8759, as amended by RA 10691, is hereby further
31 
amended to read as follows:


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"SEC. 6. Other Services of the PEESO AND BEESO. - In
2 
addition to the functions enumerated in the preceding section,
3 
THE PROVINCIAL PEESO SHALL CONDUCT PERIODIC JOB
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CLEARANCE MEETINGS WITH ALL THE MUNICIPAL AND CITY
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PEESOS WITHIN ITS AREA OF JURISDICTION FOR THE
6 
PURPOSE OF ELIMINATING DUPLICATIONS IN
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ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORTING TO THE DOLE AND THE LGUS.
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THE MUNICIPAL PEESO SHALL LIKEWISE EXERCISE THE ABOVE
9 
FUNCTION IN RELATION TO THE BEESOS. MOREOVER, every
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PEESO AND BEESO shall undertake holistic strategies, programs,
11 
and activities to transform the PEESO AND BEESO into a modern
12 
public employment AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP service
13 
intermediary that provides multi-dimensional employment and
14 
entrepreneurship facilitation services."
15 
Sec. 5. Section 7 of RA 8759, as amended by RA 10691, is hereby further
16 
amended to read as follows:
17 
"SEC. 7. Role of the DOLE and the LGUs. - The LGUs, in
18 
coordination with the DOLE, shall establish the PEESO AND
19 
BEESO.
20 
It shall be the responsibility of the DOLE to:
21 
(a) Provide technical supervision, coordination, and
22 
capacity building to the PEESO AND BEESO;
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(b) Establish and maintain AN UPDATED computerized
24 
human resource and job registries to facilitate the
25 
provision and packaging of employment assistance
26 
to PEESO AND BEESO clients and the setting-up of
27 
intra- and inter[regional]GEOGRAPHICAL job
28 
clearance systems as part of the overall
29 
employment network;
30 
(c) Provide technical assistance and allied support
31 
services to the PEESO AND BEESO including, but
32 
not limited to, the training of PEESO AND BEESO
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personnel in the various aspects of employment 
AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP facilitation functions;
(d) Set standards for the establishment and operation 
of the PEESO AND BEESO office and qualification 
standards for the PEESO AND BEESO personnel;
(e) Extend other packages of employment AND
ENTREPRENEURSHIP services to the LGU, NGO or 
El concerned, including the conduct of job fairs, 
career 
development 
seminars,
ENTREPRENEURSHIP INTERVENTIONS, and other 
activities; and
(f) 
Monitor, assess, and evaluate the performance of 
the PEESO AND BEESO, including the job 
placement offices in Els.
For their part, persons who are seeking employment, 
particularly the unemployed, shall register at the PEESO/BEESO 
for employment AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP facilitation 
assistance. The establishments, on the other hand, shall submit 
their job vacancies as well as applicants hired to the PEESO AND 
BEESO to ensure the availability of accurate information on 
supply and demand situation for various OCCUPATIONS AS 
WELL as skills in the labor market.
The LGU shall establish a monitoring system wherein 
establishments operating in the locality shall report the following 
relevant labor market information to the concerned office of the 
LGU:
(a) Present number and nature of jobs[;], SELF- 
EMPLOYMENT, LIVELIHOOD OPPORTUNITIES; and,
(b) Projection of jobs that the establishment will provide or 
offer in the next five (5) years;


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PROVIDED THAT, [T]the information shall be submitted 
to the PEESO AND BEESO for job matching and to Els for career 
guidance of the students.
PROVIDED FURTHER THAT, [I]it shall be the responsibility of the 
concerned LGU to:
(i) 
Operate and maintain the PEESO AND BEESO;
(ii) 
Ensure compliance with the operational standards set 
by the DOLE;
(iii) 
Extend such assistance and services as may be 
necessary in the promotion of employment AND 
ENTREPRENEURSHIP within the area of jurisdiction; 
and,
(iv) 
Submit to the DOLE periodic performance and 
accomplishment reports."
Sec. 6. Section 8 of RA 8759, as amended by RA 10691, is hereby amended to 
read as follows:
SEC. 8. Administration of the PEESO AND BEESO 
Program. - The DOLE shall be primarily responsible for the 
administration of the PEESO AND BEESO Program through its 
Bureau of Local Employment, as well as its regional offices 
throughout the country. The Secretary of Labor and 
Employment, in coordination with the Department of the Interior 
and Local Government and in consultation with the presidents of 
the various local government leagues, namely the League of 
Provinces, the League of Cities, the League of Municipalities, and 
the League of Barangays, AND IN CONSULTATION WITH THE 
DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY, DEPARTMENT OF 
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, AND SUCH OTHER GOVERNMENT 
AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES WHICH OFFER 
PROGRAMS ON EMPLOYMENT, LIVELIHOOD, AND 
ENTREPRENEURSHIP, shall accordingly promulgate, within 
ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the necessary
7


1 
rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the
2 
[Program] ACT."
3 
Sec. 7. Section 9 of RA 8759, as amended by RA 10691, is hereby further
4 
amended to read as follows:
5 
"SEC. 9. Funding. - The funding for the operation and
6 
maintenance of the PEESO AND BEESO shall be provided by the
7 
LGU from its internal revenue allotment and other internally
8 
generated income of the LGU concerned. Likewise, the operation
9 
and maintenance of the NGO PEESO AND BEESO and job
10 
placement offices of Els shall be charged against their internally
11 
generated income.
12 
Funds for the provision of technical assistance, training,
13 
and supervision of the PESO shall be included in the budget of
14 
the DOLE in the annual General Appropriations Act.
15 
The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this
16 
Act shall be included 
by the Department of Budget and
17 
Management in the annual General Appropriations Act."
18 
Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Labor and
19 
Employment shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
20 
implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days after its effectivity.
21 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any section or provision of this
22 
Act or any part thereof, or the application of such section, provision or portion is
23 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder thereof shall not be affected by
24 
such declaration.
25 
Sec. 10. Repeating Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations,
26 
rules and regulations or any part thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions
27 
of this Act, are hereby deemed repealed or modified accordingly.
28 
Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from the
29 
date of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
30 
general circulation.
Approved,