AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT MASTER PLAN, TO BE KNOWN AS THE "TRABAHO PARA SA BAYAN PLAN," APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11962, September 27, 2023 ]

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT MASTER PLAN, TO BE KNOWN AS THE "TRABAHO PARA SA BAYAN PLAN," APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act."

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, promote full, productive and freely chosen employment and livelihood, and ensure equitable employment opportunities for all, irrespective of sex, race, color, religion, political opinion, ethnicity, or social origin.

Accordingly, the State shall, in pursuit of poverty reduction through decent jobs, sustainable enterprises, and economic transformation, ensure an environment that encourages more employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, provide comprehensive support to existing and emerging businesses, particularly to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and improve the employability, productivity, and competitiveness of Filipino workers.

In order to carry out the policies of this Act, the "Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan," as provided herein, shall serve as the State's master plan on employment generation and recovery to realize short-term and long-term goals and visions for the country. It shall have the following objectives:

Section 3. Coverage. -This Act shall apply to national, regional, and local government units (LGUs), without prejudice to the right of the Bangsamoro Government and its component LGUs to adopt and implement projects and programs for labor and employment, consistent with national policies, laws, rules and regulations.

Section 4. Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan; Action Components, Success Measures, and Key Performance Indicators. - The Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan (TBP Plan) shall be the State's employment generation and recovery master plan. It shall include a three (3)-year, six (6)-year, and ten (10)-year development timeline for its vision, mission, goals, and milestones.

The Trabaho Para sa Bayan Inter-Agency Council created under Section 5 of this Act shall formulate success measures, key performance indicators, and action components, including:

Section 5. Tabaho Para Sa Bayan Inter-Agency Council (TBP-IAC). - The TPB-IAC is hereby established, which shall be composed of the following:

The TPB-IAC shall meet at least every quarter or as often as may be necessary. The TPB-IAC chairpersons and members may designate their representatives, who shall have at least the rank of Assistant Secretary or its equivalent, and who must fully authorized to decide for and on behalf of the agency represented.

The Secretariat of the TPB-IAC shall be composed of dedicated personnel from NEDA, DTI, and DOLE, which shall provide administrative, operational, and technical support to the TPB-IAC.

The TPB-IAC shall engage other government agencies and instrumentalities, as well as representatives from the labor and employers' organizations, marginalized or vulnerable sectors, and informal sectors, as may be necessary.

Section 6. Powers and Functions of the TPB-IAC. - The TPB-IAC shall have the following powers and functions:

Section 7. Establishment of TPB-IAC Working Groups. - To pursue the implementation of the TBP Plan, working groups may be established by the TPB-IAC, as may be necessary. The creation of working groups shall be in line with the objectives and targets as may be indicated in the TPB Plan, and shall work on developing and/or enhancing employment generation and recover in specific industries and emerging sectors, such as, but not limited to, health services, construction, tourism, agriculture, information technology and business process management, and manufacturing, as well as working groups on thematic areas.

Each working group shall be chaired by a government agency, as may be designated by the TPC-IAC. Industry sector representatives may also be represented and shall participate in the working groups.

Section 8. Government Job Provision. - The Civil Service Commission (CSC), Commission on Audit (COA), and DBM, in consultation with relevant government agencies and LGUs, shall conduct an analysis and review of the existing hiring policies and standards of the government, including, but not limited to, the skills and competencies required, streamlining and improving the processes of recruitment and selection, and identifying the appropriate manpower needs of the govenrment.

Section 9. Role of Other Government Agencies. - All government agencies, including LGUs, shall:

Section 10. reporting Requirements. - The TPB-IAC shall submit reports every January and July of each year to the Office of the President, the Senate of the Philippines, and the House of Representatives on the following:

The reports shall be made publicly available through the respective websites of the relevant government agencies.

Section 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within one hundred eighty (180) days from the effectivity of this Act, the TPB-IAC, together with other concerned agencies and private stakeholders, shall jointly formulate the implementing rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Section 12. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the departments or agencies concerned. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 13. Separability Clause. - Any portion or provision of this Act that is declared, unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.

Section 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved:

This Act was passed by the Senate of the Philippines as Senate Bill No. 2035 on May 29, 2023 and adopted by the house of Representatives as an amendment to House Bill No. 8400 on August 29, 2023.

Approved: 27 SEP 2023

(SGD.) FERDINAND ROMUALDEZ MARCOS JR.
President of the Philippines