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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
o( r?)f i-Ttiirj)
72 AUG 18 P5 :Q1
SENATE
S. No. 1206
RECEIVED BY
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A RURAL EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This proposed measure seeks to institute a program to assist qualified indigent 
families to have temporary employment that will hopefully assist them in their daily 
needs. This bill proposes that the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) shall 
provide transitory work to every qualified individual member of an Indigent family in 
rural areas. It is our admission that this temporary work may not go a long way to 
provide for a family, but this may be a start for a more stable employment in the 
future. It will also provide momentary relief to pressing needs that need Immediate 
attention for rural families.
It is our aim to address unemployment In our country, but in general, it is our 
aim to assist indigent rural families to become more productive economically. In view 
of the foregoing, consideration of this bill is earnestly sought.
ramon^ng revilla, jr^


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE 
S. No. 1206
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u
*22 AUG 18 P5 -01
RECEIVED BV
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A RURAL EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the x'Rural Employment
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Assistance Program Act."
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is a declared policy of the State to promote a
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just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and Independence of the
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nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social
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services, promote full employment, a rising standards of living, and an improved
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quality of life for all. Towards this end, the State shall provide Filipinos with
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opportunities for just and sufficient means of livelihood. The State shall likewise initiate
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meaningful employment assistance programs to qualified individuals of poor
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households In rural areas duly identified by the appropriate national agencies.
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Sec. 3. Rural Employment Assistance Program. - There is hereby created a
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Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP), which shall provide temporary
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employment to every qualified Individual member of a poor family in rural areas who
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volunteers to do unskilled labor for a minimum of forty-five (45) days but not more
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than ninety (90) days in a calendar year wherein the minimum and maximum period
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of engagement can cover a single activity or multiple activities spread out over the
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course of a calendar year.


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Qualified individuals are not subject to the terms and conditions of regular 
employment and as such, shall not be deemed to have an employer-employee 
relationship with the DSWD, or any agency or institution who utilizes their services 
with respect to the Program.
Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used In this Act:
(a) 
refers to individuals and families whose income fall below the poverty 
threshold as defined by the government and/or cannot afford in a sustained 
manner to provide their minimum basic needs of food, health, education, 
housing and other essential amenities of life, or those who have been 
Identified as poor by the National Household Targeting System for Poverty 
Reduction (NHTS-PR);
(b) Qualified Individual refers to willing and able Filipino citizens who are at 
least fifteen (15) years of age. Provided. Those individuals between the ages 
of fifteen (15) and eighteen (18) may only qualify by first obtaining consent 
from their parent/s and/or legal guardian. Provided, further, That individuals 
who are between the ages of fifteen (15) and eighteen (18) may only qualify 
provided they can be employed in non-hazardous work environments in 
accordance with the Labor Code;
(c) Rural area refers to any barangay with at least fifty percent (50%) land 
devoted to agriculture, timberland, forest and/or pasture land as 
determined by the Comprehensive Land Use Plan of the concerned local 
government unit (LGU); and
(d) Unskilled labor refers to a segment of the workforce associated with a 
limited skill set or a minimal economic value for the work performed. It Is 
generally characterized by having lower levels of educational attainment, 
such as a high school diploma. General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or lack 
thereof, and which typically results In getting lower wages.
Sec. 5. Local Community Participation. - The DSWD shall take the lead in the 
overall implementation of the REAP. However, the corresponding LGUs and In 
particular, the local communities and people's organizations (Pos) representing its 
most vulnerable sectors such as women, youth, the elderly and the like shall be given 
proper recognition and due consideration by the DSWD as the primary stakeholders


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of each project to be initiated. Towards this end, the LGUs and especiaily the local 
communities shall be capacitated by the DSWD to be able to fully participate In any 
and all phases of the project development cycle, which include, but are not limited to, 
situational analysis and needs assessment, project identification, project 
implementation and management, and project monitoring and evaluation.
Sec. 6. Qualifications for Availment of Employment Assistance. - The Local 
Social Welfare and Development Officers (LSWDOs), in close coordination with the 
LGUs and other concerned government agencies, as well as concerned members of 
the Identified rural communities themselves, may conduct a preliminary joint 
assessment of all poor individuals and families In rural areas who signify interest in 
undertaking work as unskilled labor to determine eligibility In availing of the 
employment assistance program. The assessment shall also take into consideration 
the inherent knowledge, skills, capacities, and capabilities of potential qualified 
participants so as to properly determine the type and nature of projects that are most 
suited to them and their respective communities. These preliminary joint assessments 
may be subject to validation and approval by the DSWD.
The DSWD shall facilitate basic knowledge and skills orientation and capacity- 
building training and seminars as deemed necessary towards project development for 
qualified participants. The concerned LGUs shall be responsible for providing for the 
loaning out of any tool and equipment necessary for project development to the 
qualified individuals.
Sec. 7. Types of Works and Activities under the Program. - Employment 
activities for this purpose shall be designed to mobilize eligible individuals, families 
and communities to finish a project within a given time period. These projects may 
Include, but are not limited to the following:
(a) Development, rebuilding/rehabilitation of agri-based livelihood assets 
damaged, destroyed or lost due to natural disasters, such as desllting of 
irrigation canals, development of paddy dikes, and rehabilitation of water 
impounding dams;
(b) Development or rehabilitation of common service facilities, which are being 
shared and used by poor families as production or consolidation centers like 
post-harvest facilities, and public markets;


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(c) Development or rehabilitation of physical assets to open up access to areas 
necessary to transport rural products, such as construction of farms to 
market roads and bridges; and
(d) Protection of natural and productive assets through mitigation and disaster 
risk reduction measures, such as mangrove planting and rehabilitation, tree 
planting and similar activities.
Additionally, the DSWD shall provide an updated list of projects that may be 
undertaken as well as the projects not covered under this law. This list shall be readily 
made available to potentially qualified Individuals who have expressed their desire to 
participate in the REAP.
Sec. 8. Rate of Assistance, - Every person qualified under this Program shall 
be entitled to receive compensation for each day of work at the rate of not less than 
seventy-five percent (75%) of the prevailing minimum wage set by the concerned 
Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB). LGUs concerned may also 
provide for additional allowances to the beneficiaries In order to cover for other 
expenses such as transportation and food.
Sec. 9. Micro-Insurance Benefits. - Qualified Individuals are granted the option 
to access micro-insurance as a form of social security in the event of accidental death 
or dismemberment, medical reimbursement, and bereavement assistance at a 
socialized cost. Towards this end, the DSWD shall provide liaison services necessary 
to enable qualified individuals access to these social services. LGUs concerned may 
also provide additional allowance to participants to cover insurance costs.
Sec. 10. Appropriations. - The Secretary of Social Welfare and Development 
shall include in the DSWD's programs the implementation of this Act. The initial 
funding of which shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the 
DSWD. Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continued implementation shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
In addition, the DSWD may accept donations, contributions or grants from 
foreign and local persons, institutions and governments, among others, for the 
implementation of the Program.
Sec. 11. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - Within ninety (90) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DSWD shall. In consultation with the


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Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government, promulgate and issue 
the necessary guidelines for the effective implementation of this Act.
Sec. 24. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, Is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting.
Sec. 25. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly.
Sec. 26. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after Its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,