14'h Congress of the Republic ) 
of the Philippines 
) 
1" Regular Session 
) 
Introduced bv Senator Aauilino Q. Pimentel. Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 22, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that "fhe Sfafe 
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. 
LAV' 
AQUlLlNO Q. PIIWENTEL, JR. 


14'h Congress of the Republic ) 
of the Philippines 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
/ 
Introduced by Senator Aquilino Q, Pimentel, Jr. 
AN ACT 
TO ENSURE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO MEMBERS OF 
INDIGENOUS 
CULTURAL 
COMMUNITIES AND 
PREFERENCE 
IN 
CERTAIN CASES 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. 
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. 
a) To exclude or expel from its membership any person because of 
It shall be unlawful for a labor union or federation: 
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 (P100,OOO.OO) nor more than five hundred 
thousand pesos (P500,OOO.OO) 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,