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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

nouse pittno._ 1417

Introduced by Representative Harlin Cast. Abayon

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 16" Congress.

HARLIN CAST. ABAYON
Representative
First District of Northern Samar


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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Se.

1417

HOUSE BILLNO.

Introduced by Representative Harlin Cast. Abayon

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 Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title, This Act shall be cited and 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 and 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 shail 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 others 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:

coastal clean-up and Bay watch projects;

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,

f. opportunities in refitting public utility vehicles with liquefied petroleum
928;

g. _te-electrification of barangays using solar panels and hydro-electric grids

ose

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 an 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 providing 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
gteen collar jobs/employments. In addition, the government agencies are encouraged
to utilize their savings 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 Representative, respectively, the representatives of the Leagues of Provinces,
Cities, Municipalities and Barangay Councils, the MMDA and other concemed 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 42. Report to Congress. - The Council shall report to Congress not
later than March 30 of every year following the approval of this Act, giving a detailed
account of its accomplishmenis 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
application of such provision to any person or circumstances is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the application of such provision to other
persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such declaration.

SECTION. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, issuances, rules and
regulations or parts thereof incorisistent 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,