HOUSE QF REPRESENTATIVES
“RECEIVED

pore. 30 JUN 2097

TINE:

By:

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

REGISTRATION UNIT
BULLS A INDEX SERVICE

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

45
HOUSE BILL NO.____

Introduced by: Representative Harlin Neil J. Abayon Ill

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to complement the present effort of the national government in
promoting environmental awareness and protection. This measure was previously filed by
Senator Manny Villar in the 15" Congress. Passage of this bill is earnestly sought now in the

17" Congress.

am J. ABAYON III

Representative
Party-List AANGAT TAYO


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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

645
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Representative Harlin Neil J. Abayon III

AN ACT
PROMOTING THE CREATION OF GREEN COLLAR JOBS, PROVIDING A
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

SECTION I. Title. This At shall be known as the “Promoting Green Collar Jobs in
the Philippines Act of 2010.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. In accordance with the constitutional policy
that, “The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful
ecology in accord with the rhythm ad harmony of nature”, it is hereby declared that it is
every citizen’s responsibility to one another and to the future generations to see that the
Philippine environment is preserved and protected and that the government has the supreme
intergenerational responsibility and mandate to ensure the sustainable development of the
country’s environment and Mother Earth.

SECTION 3. Creation of Green Collar Jobs Council. A Green Collar Jobs
Council, hereinafter called as the Council, is hereby created as a special organization under
the Department of Labor and Employment. The Council shall be tasked as the premier
government body to implement the provisions of this Act.

The Council shall be headed by the Secretary of the Department of Labor and
Employment and will have the Secretaries of the Department of Trade and Industry,
Environment and Natural Resources and Energy and the Director-General of the National
Economic Development Authority as members. Four (4) representatives from the private
sector and non-governmental organizations representing management and industry,
environmental and conservation advocacy, academic community and local government shall
be appointed by the President of the Philippines.

The Council shall have an Executive Director who will head a lean corps of
competent personnel which will serve as the administrative and technical secretariat.

SECTION 4. Strategic Initiative for the Creation of Green Collar Jobs. The Council
shall formulate a Strategic Initiative which will serve as framework for the promotion and
creation of green collar employment


The Strategic Initiative shall contain:

a. Strategies and approaches to adopt new ways of looking at industry sectors and
the development of potential new technologies combined with innovative public
policy and strategic investments to stimulate the growth of new markets for green
products and services;

b. action plans identifying the framework, strategies, programs and_ policies
partnerships and opportunities necessary to address the growing need for a highly
skilled and well-trained workforce to meet the needs of the emerging green
economy.

c. a data base that identifies and links green collar job opportunities with entities,
agencies and corporations requiring green collar employments. It shall include
training programs to assist and prepare specific sectors such as displaced and
retrenched workers, at-risk youth and out-of school youth, students, veterans,
persons with disabilities and other facing barriers to employment.

d. dossiers and information emerging green industries workforce needs, trends, and
job growth and funding recommendations on how to expand and leverage these
funds.

e. Such other data that may be significant in the promotion and propagation of green
collar jobs.

SECTION 5. Immediate Needs for Green Collar Jobs in the Country. Initially,
the Department of Labor and Employment must publish in its website and must avail
of all free media advertisements announcing immediate green collar job
opportunities, in such areas as:

a. Coastal clean-up and bay watch projects;

b. Reforestation efforts and tree planting;

©. Construction and designation of bike lanes and installation of solar-
powered street lights and other clean energy initiatives;

d. Garbage collection;

e. Planting and replanting of coconut trees to ensure bio-fuel feed stock;

£ Opportunities in refitting public utility vehicles with liquefied petroleum
gas;

g. Re-electrification of barangays using solar vehicles with liquefied
petroleum

SECTION 6. Coordination with Local Government Units. Local Government
Units must assist in the implementation of this Act through the promotion of green collar
jobs creation.

SECTION 7. Incentives. An incentive scheme is hereby provided for the purpose of
encouraging LGUs, enterprises, or private entities, including NGOs, to develop or undertake
and effective program to generate green collar jobs or actively participate in any program
geared towards the promotion thereof as provided for in this Act.

The Council shall provide a system of incentives to businesses and industries that are
in the promotion and generation of green collar jobs.

Government financial institutions such as the Development Bank of the Philippines
(DBP), Landbank of the Philippines (LBP), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS),
and such other government institutions providine financial services shall. in accordance with


and to the extent allowed by the enabling provisions of their respective charters or applicable
laws, accord high priority to extend financial services to individuals, enterprises, or private
entities that creates green collar jobs

SECTION 8. Public Education and Information. — The Council shall, in
coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and mass media organizations,
conduct a continuing education and information campaign on the development and
generation of green collar jobs including,

(a) Aim to develop public awareness of the positive effects of green economy;

(b) Encourage the general public to patronize green products and services and
endorse and patronize environmentally acceptable products and packaging
materials.

SECTION 9. Appropriations. — For the initial operating expenses of the Council,
the amount of Twenty million pesos (P20, 000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from the
budget of the DOLE. Thereafter, the Council shall submit to the Department of Budget and
Management its proposed budget for inclusion in the General Appropriations Act.

In the next five (5) years following the approval of this Act, the government must
appropriate one half of one percent (0.5%) of the annual appropriation act for various green
collar jobs/employments. In addition, the government agencies are encouraged to utilize their
saving for short- and medium-term green collar jobs employment.

SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — The Council, in
coordination with the Committees on Environment and Ecology of the Senate and House of
Representatives, respectively, the representatives of the Leagues of Provinces, Cities,
Municipalities and Barangay Councils, the MMDA and other concerned agencies, shall
promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act, within one (1) year after its
enactment.

SECTION 11. Transitory Provision. - Pending the establishment of the Strategic
Initiative under Section 4 hereof, existing laws, regulations, programs and projects on
generation of green collar jobs shall be enforced: Provided, that for specific undertaking, the
same may be revised in the interim in accordance with the intentions of this Act.

SECTION 12. Report to Congress. ~ The Council shall report to Congress not later
than March 30 every year following the approval of this Act, giving a detailed account of its
accomplishments and progress on promotion of green collar jobs during the year and make
the necessary recommendations in areas where there is need for legislative action

SECTION 13. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act or the regulations
or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 15. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,