Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT  
PROVIDING EXPANDED EMPLOYMENT SECURITY FOR WORKERS AND DEFINING 
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EMPLOYERS CONCERNING EXPOSURE TO COVID-19 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The State must protect the rights of its laborers and promote a safe working environment for 
workers. A safe working environment complies with prescribed Occupational Safety and Health 
(OSH) Standards and allows the workers to perform the job without or within the acceptable 
exposure limit to hazards.  
In consideration of COVID-19, this measure seeks to provide additional protection to laborers by 
making them eligible for unemployment benefits upon termination of employment with an 
employer who failed to provide an adequate response to the health concerns they raised. This 
measure provides that in workplaces or designations which have considerable exposure to COVID-
19, employees can raise health concerns to their employers and the employers must adequately 
act upon concern by installing additional safety equipment, adjusting the work environment, 
adopting appropriate work schedules, or finding alternative suitable employment for those 
employees.  
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the 
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
September 5, 2022
9:03 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT  
PROVIDING EXPANDED EMPLOYMENT SECURITY FOR WORKERS AND DEFINING 
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EMPLOYERS CONCERNING EXPOSURE TO COVID-19 
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 "Expanded Employment Security Act'. 
SECTION 2. Unemployment Benefits. – An employee, as defined in the Labor Code, 
regardless of the classification of employment under Article 295 of the Code, whose work or 
designation may have considerable exposure to COVID-19, may inform his or her employer of 
any health concerns that he or she might have regarding resuming or continuing employment. 
An employer, as defined in the Code, upon being informed of such health concern, shall act upon 
it immediately by installing additional safety equipment, adjusting the work environment, 
adopting an appropriate work schedule, or finding alternative suitable employment for the said 
employee. 
If the employer fails to act upon it or if the said employee is unsatisfied with the response or 
action of his or her employer, the concerned employee shall send a report, with proof of service 
of a copy to the employer, regarding the same to the Regional Office of the Department of Labor 
and Employment (DOLE) where the company he or she works is located. The Regional Director 
concerned shall allow the employer to submit a reply to the report within five (5) calendar days 
from the filing thereof. The Regional Director shall examine the report within five (5) calendar 
days from the receipt of the reply or expiration of the time for the submission thereof, taking Into 
consideration the facts presented in the report and/or reply, the applicable standards for 
occupational health and safety, the nature of the occupation and the attendant risks of exposure 
to the COVID-19 Disease. The decision of said Regional Director is appealable to the Bureau of 
Labor Relations (BLR) within five (5) days from the receipt of said decision. The BLR shall decide 
within ten (10) days from receipt of the appeal and its decision shall be final and executory. 
If the Regional Director or the BLR, as the case may be, finds that the employer failed to provide 
an adequate response to the health concern raised by the employee, the latter may terminate his 
or her employment and shall be eligible for unemployment benefits.  
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SECTION 3. Limitation on the Liability of Employers. – An employer may not be held liable 
for any injury that resulted from an employee contracting COVID-19, except when the employer 
violates the laws related to workplace safety. 
SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within thirty (30) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the DOLE shall formulate the rules and regulations necessary for the 
implementation of this Act.  
SECTION 5. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or 
invalid, the remainder of the provisions thereof not affected shall remain in force and effect. 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, administrative rules, and 
regulations or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
amended, modified, or repealed accordingly. 
SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect immediately upon its publication In 
a newspaper of general circulation or the Official Gazette. 
Approved,