Republic of the Philipines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

‘Quezon City, Philipines

‘THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No__ 3549

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE DR. REY B. AQUINO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Report and Recommendations ofthe Congressional Labor Commission (Policy
Presripion No.1, February 2001) bas established thatthe availment of basic education is
the key to higher productivity and ultimately to higher incomes for labor. The Commission
has also acknowledged thatthe problem of lack of basic education has at present times
‘become so overwhelming for the government to face alone.

Under the premises, i is submited hat itis high time to enlist the fall and active
‘support of the business or employer sector to help the government inthe gargantuan tsk of
‘Providing basic education to the Filipino people,

‘Accordingly, for purposes of securing the participation ofthe employer or business
sector in the nationwide drive fo provide basic edication it becomes imperative to propose
the amendment of Art: 210 of the Labor Code by deleting the present provisions on adult
«education, and replacing the same with new provisions on basi eduction which wil require
the employer to send their workers back to school, at least upto the high school level or its
‘non-formal equivalent.

‘Toimplement this, the obligation onthe part of the employer wll bminimal. On the
financial aspect, employers will, at most, be obliged to shell out only the transportation
Allowance and school supplies, considering the existence of public elementary and high
Schools, as well as public and private non-formal schools, where na tuition fes are charged.
‘On the non-financial aspect, employers will be counted on to reasonably schedule the work
{o.allow their employees adequate time for school attendance and bome study, in addition to
their consistent moral support to encourage their workesto continue with their secrifices in
tending school for long-term gains in productivity, i

For all these, approval ofthis bill is earnestly



Republic ofthe Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

‘THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __3549

Introduced by Representative Dr. Rey B. Aquino

"AN ACT DIRECTED AT RAISING THE QUALITY OF THE LABOR FORCE
AND INCREASING LABOR PRODUCTIVITY BY INSTITUTIONALIZING
‘THE PROVISION OF BASIC EDUCATION TO WORKERS.

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

Section 1. Itis hereby declared the policy of the State to raise the quality ofthe
labor force and increase labor productivity through the provision of basic education to
‘workers. Philippine Constitution of 1987, Ar. I, Sees. I7 and 18; Art XU, Secs. -
3; Art. XIV, Secs. 1-2) Consistent with this policy, the State deems it wise, prudent and
‘necessary to institutionalize the provision of basic education to workers, mandating for
the purpose the participation, support and contribution of the employers.

Section 2, In fine withthe declared policy of the State under this Act, the
following laws shall be, as they are hereby amended, to read as follows:

‘Labor Code ofthe Philippines
“Book IV, Title LV. (Adult Education) Basic Education
“Art. 210, (Adult Education) Basie Education

(Every employer shall render assistance in the establishment and operation of
adult education programs for their workers and employees as prescribed by regulations
Jointly approved by the Department of Labor and the Department of Education and
Culture.) °


“Art. 146. (Opportunity for Education) Basic Education

(If the househelper is under the age of eighteen (18) years, the employer shall
tive him or her an opportunity for at least elementary education. The cost of such
‘education shall be part of the househelper’s compensation, unless there is a stipulation
{o the contrary.)



Section 3. In the case of service contracts for construction, security, janitorial
‘nd similar services, the cost of mandated provision of basic education, shall be forthe
account of and be passed on to the principal or client or project owner. For this,
Purpose, the service contracts shall be deemed amended accordingly, to reflect an
"upward increase in the service fees due to the service contractor employer, to cover the
cost of basic education,

Section 4. The Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment, in
consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Education, shall promulgate the
‘necessary implementing rules and regulations to implement the provisions ofthis Act.

Section 5. All laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations or part thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly. If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or
circumstance, is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or the
application of such provision or part thereof to other persons or circumstances shall not
be affected thereby.

‘Nothing in this Act shall be construed to reduce any existing salary or wage
rates, allowances and benefits of any form under existing laws, decrees, issuances,
executive orders, and/or under any contract or agreement between the employees and
employers, or under any company policy by employers.

Section 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation, whichever comes earlier.