Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
 EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Department of Labor and Employment is mandated to promote gainful 
employment opportunities, develop human resources, protect workers and 
promote their welfare and maintain industrial peace. 
The National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), a quasi-judicial agency 
attached to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), is mandated to 
adjudicate labor and management disputes involving both local and overseas 
workers through compulsory arbitration and alternative modes of dispute 
resolution. With a strategic mission firmly in place, the NLRC embarked on a far-
reaching labor and employment agenda in previous years, furthering its efforts 
to be the pre-eminent government agency which has taken the lead in promoting 
and maintaining industrial peace based on social justice through economically 
viable dispute settlement machinery. Since the creation of the NLRC, it has been 
persistent in pursuing the reforms in labor and employment that will improve 
the services and address the problems in labor adjudication process. The 
extensive campaign instituted by the NLRC in the past years, which has drawn 
support from both the public and private sectors, made its accomplishments 
possible. 
This House Bill seeks to provide Modernization Funding to the National Labor 
Relations Commission (NLRC), to ensure that the country fulfills its 
commitments to all Decent and productive employment for every Filipino worker. 
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
September 27, 2022
9:53 am
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MICHAEL L. ROMERO  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR MODERNIZATION FUNDINGFOR THE NATIONAL 
LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION (NLRC), INCREASING AND 
REORGANIZING ITS ADMINISTRATION, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY – It shall hereby be a declared 
policy of the state to mandate a national government agency to formulate 
policies, implement programs and services, and serve as the policy-coordinating 
arm of the Executive Branch in the field of labor and employment. 
The state shall foster the organization and functions of the Department of Labor 
and Employment in accordance with the provisions of Executive Order No. 126, 
as amended, the Labor Code of the Philippines, and other relevant and 
pertinent legislations. 
The Department shall have exclusive authority in the administration and 
enforcement of labor and employment laws and such other laws as specifically 
assigned to it or to the Secretary of Labor and Employment. 
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The state shall provide direction through the development of long and medium-
term strategic plans for the Department of Labor and Employment to ensure 
achievement of its noble mandates. 
The state shall also formulate policies for the efficient and effective 
administration and management of all manpower, skills and competencies to 
ensure compliance. 
SECTION 
2. 
MODERNIZATION FUNDING. – The amount of Five 
Hundred Million Pesos (Php 500,000,000.00) for the operation and 
administration of the National Labor Relations Commission shall be 
chargeable against funds for the purpose and other sources recommended 
by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). Thereafter, 
appropriations for the National Labor Relations Commission shall be 
included in the budget proposals under the Department of Labor and 
Employment (DOLE). 
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the 
modernization program, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act (GAA). 
SECTION 
3. 
NLRC MODERNIZATION FUND – There is hereby 
created the National Labor Relations Commission Modernization Fund to be used 
exclusively for the National Labor Relations Commission Modernization Program. 
The National Labor Relations Commission Modernization Fund shall be 
administered by the Secretary of the DOLE in accordance with existing 
government budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations. 
SECTION 
4. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Secretary of the DOLE shall 
prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the National 
Labor Relations Commission Modernization Programs which shall be submitted, 


to the Office of the President and to the Chairpersons of the Committee on Labor 
and Employment of the Senate and the House of Representatives. 
SECTION 
5. 
PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION – The modernization 
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of two (2) 
years:  
Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  
Provided, further, That the National Labor Relations Commission shall 
continue to develop, modernize and constantly update its operational capabilities 
to keep pace with best global practices. 
SECTION 
6. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
SECTION 
7. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 
8. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
9. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 


SECTION 
10. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
 
Approved,