Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4305

Introduced by Lone District of Dinagat Islands Representative Kaka Bag-n0,

AKBAYAN Representatives Percival Cendafia, Atty. Jose Manuel “Chel”

Diokno, and Dadah Kiram Ismula, ML Party-list Representative Leila M.
De Lima, 1* District of Albay Representative Cielo Krisel Lagman

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Constitution declares that the State shall afford full protection to labor, local and
overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment
opportunities for all. Further, pursuant to Executive Order No.126, s. 1987, Department of Labor
and Employment (DOLE) has the primary responsibility to promote gainful employment
opportunities. DOLE is tasked to optimize and fully develop the country's manpower resources.
Also, to advance workers’ welfare by providing for just and humane working conditions and terms
of employment. And to maintain industrial peace by promoting harmonious, equitable, and stable
employment relations that assure equal protection for the rights of all concerned parties.

According to the latest survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) on
December 2023, around 19.5 percent or an estimated 9.4 ion adult Filipinos are unemployed.
This is a comparable level to that of the 2019 (Pre-COVID) Average of 19.8 percent.' However,
for Carga Reion, the Philippine Statistics Office reported an unemployment rate of 4 percent in
Jan 2025, which was lower by 1.1 percent for the same period in January 2024. This resulted in
the rise of employment rate to 96 percent during the same period.”

Apparently, DOLE has developed various programs to promote gainful employment and
curb the unemployment rate. In Dinagat Islands, it has been proposed in the discussion with the
national line agencies that DOLE will provide sustainable livelihood assistance or
entrepreneurship to the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable workers. It will also provide short term
wage employment assistance to displaced or underemployed workers in the informal sectors who
lost their livelihood due to calamities. However laudable these projects are, there is still a stark
difficulty tracking their progress and execution. Notably, there are gaps in the implementation of
active labor market programs that will help workers access better jobs and lack of provincial
programs that will strengthen the demand for labor in Dinagat Islands.

In line with the preceding, this bill proposes the establishment of DOLE Dinagat Islands
Provincial Office. This will certainly bolster the economy as it will easily identify the key labor
market challenges that the province face, outline potential solutions to address these challenges,
and help to implement appropriate strategies for better employment.

Lastly, this bill is a refile from HB 9728 which was approved by the House on Third Reading
on the 7 of February 2024.

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In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Lone District of Dinagat Islands

Rep. Jose Mgiuiel Tadeo “Chel” Diokno
AKBAYAA Party-list

ML Party-list

ercival Cendaiia
AKBAYAN Party-list

Rep. Day
AKBA’

pt
1" District of Albay


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill NoS305

Introduced by Lone District of Dinagat Islands Representative Kaka Bag-a0,

AKBAYAN Representatives Percival Cendafia, Atty. Jose Manuel “Chel”

Diokno, and Dadah Kiram Ismula, ML Party-list Representative Leila M.
De Lima, 1* District of Albay Representative Cielo Krisel Lagman

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A PROVINCIAL OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT IN THE PROVINCE OF DINAGAT ISLANDS,
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Establishment of Provincial Office. — There shall be an established office of the
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the Province of Dinagat islands, to be known
as the “DOLE Dinagat Islands Provincial Office” which shall exercise jurisdiction over all
municipalities of the province and shall be headed by a provincial director.

SEC. 2. Immediate Inclusion. - The DOLE Secretary shall immediately include in the agency's
programs the operationalization of the DOLE Dinagat Islands Provincial Office.

SEC. 3. Appropriations. - The initial amount needed for the implementation of this Act shall be
charged against the current fiscal year’s appropriation of the DOLE. Thereafter, the succeeding
funding shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within six (6) months from the approval of this,
Act, the DOLE Secretary shall promulgate the rules and regulations for its effective
implementation.

SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or
invalid, the other sections or provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and
effect.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - Any laws, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are
hereby modified accordingly.

SEC. 17. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in the
Official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.


Approved,

aa

Lone District of Dinagat Islands AKBAYAN Party-list

Percival Cendaiia

Rep. Dad: fn Ismul]
AKBAYAN Party-list

ML Party-list 1 District of Albay