INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 14 of Article Xlll of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State 
shall protect working women by providing safe and healthy working conditions, 
taking into account their maternal functions, and such facilities and opportunities 
that will not only enhance their welfare but will also enable them to realize their 
welfare and full potential in service of the nation. 
Filipinos, past and present, have proven their capabilities in all fields of 
human endeavor - in private business, in the professions, in arts, education, civic 
work and in public service. As a result, the Constitution further mandates the 
State to recognize the role of women in nation building. This mandate requires 
the State to give women opportunities that will enhance their welfare and realize 
their full potential in the service of the nation. Thus, in order to help our economy 
recover, the full potential of every Filipino must be realized. Every Filipino must 
be given a chance to be productive and play his or her part in building a nation 
we all can be proud of. Every one, especially women, must be given a chance. 
assistance in order to attain their full potential in the service of the nation. 
This bill seeks to empower women by giving them the necessary 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
1 
7 JU!. -2 ;',J 
i 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
EMPOWERING WOMEN 
BY 
PROVIDING THEM WITH 
FINANCIAL, 
EDUCATIONAL, AND INFORMATION ASSISTANCE IN ORDER FOR THEM 
TO EXCEL IN COMMERCE AND TRADE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Women 
Empowerment in Enterprises Act." 
SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. - In accordance with the mandate of the 
Constitution, it is declared a State policy to grant women assistance and 
opportunities in enterprise that will enhance their welfare and realize their full 
potential in order for them to play their role in nation-building and serve the 
nation. 
SEC 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the terms: 
(a) "Secretary" refers to the Secretary of Labor and Employment; 
(b) "Department" refers to the Department of Labor and Employment; and, 
(c) "Committee" refers to the Women in Enterprise Assistance and 
Advisory Committee. 
SEC 4. 
Development Program. - The Secretary shall adopt and 
implement a Women in Enterprise Development Program which provides women 
with financial, educational and information assistance, as provided for the 
subsequent sections of this Act. 
SEC 5. 
assistance to women: 
Financial Assistance. - The Secretary shall provide financial 
a) 
to support the creation of small to medium-size business in 
which women can readily participate; 
to foster investment in business substantially owned or 
managed by women; and, 
b) 


C) 
to enable such women to further their education. 
SEC 6. Educational Assistance. - The Secretary shall, with the aid and 
cooperation of the Secretary of Education, provide scholarship and educational 
assistance: 
to encourage women to participate in the processes of local 
and national government, and to stimulate the interest of 
women in business; 
to prepare women for involvement in government and 
business; 
to provide opportunities for women to gain practical experience 
in government and business through internship or on-the-job 
apprenticeships while in the school; and, 
to identify women with leadership potential to serve as role 
models, and to assist such women in furthering their education 
and obtaining suitable positions in the public or private sector. 
a) 
b) 
c) 
d) 
SEC 7. 
lnformation Assistance. - The Department shall create and 
establish a local resource centers in its provincial offices which offer to women 
interested in careers in business, government, or related fields: 
a) 
basic courses in accounting, bookkeeping, and marketing 
practices, and other courses; and, 
workshops, informational 
materials, career counseling, and 
assistance in the local community. 
b) 
SEC 8. Establishment of a Committee. - The Secretary shall establish a 
Women in Enterprise Assistance and Advisory Committee. 
SEC 9. Composifion. - The Committee shall be composed of Secretary 
as the Chairman and eight (8) members appointed by the said Secretary, 
including: 
a) One (1) representative of a labor organization; 
b) Two (2) representatives of the Department of Labor and Employment; 
c) Two (2) representatives of the Department of Education; and, 
d) Three (3) members of the general public, of whom at least two (2) shall 
be engaged in an enterprise as an owner or part owner. 
SEC I O .  
Functions of the Committee. - The Women in Enterprise 
Assistance and Advisory Committee shall have the following functions: 
a) 
make recommendations regarding prevention of gender 
discrimination in the province of business and trade; 
study and recommend ways to empower women in the field of 
business and trade; 
b) 


c) 
identify areas around the country where women may excel not 
only in the field of business and trade but also in career service 
in government; 
approve and disapprove application of women candidates 
applying for any assistance under this Act; 
develop a criteria for identifying the women who are eligible to 
avail of the assistance under this Act; and, 
formulate the necessary rules and regulations. 
d) 
e) 
9 
SEC 11. Term of Office. - Members of the Committee shall be appointed 
for a term of office of three (3) years, except that of the members first appointed, 
three (3) shall be appointed for a term of one (1) year, two (2) shall be appointed 
for a term of two (2) years, and two (2) shall be appointed for a term of three (3) 
years, as determined by the Secretary. 
SEC 12. Meetings. - The Committee shall meet not less than four (4) 
times a year or at the call of the Secretary. 
SEC 13. 
Compensation. - Members of the Committee shall be 
compensated at a rate equivalent to an employee of the National Government 
occupying a salary grade 25 position, except those already employed by the 
Philippine Government. 
SEC 14. Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such 
sum as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated for the 
National Treasury. Thereafter, the sums necessary for the continuous operation 
of the centers shall be included in the annual appropriations of the Department of 
Labor and Employment. 
SEC 15. Separability Clause. - If any provisions or part hereof is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions of the law not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SEC 16. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of the Act is hereby repealed, 
modified or amended accordingly. 
SEC 17. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,