TWELFTH CONGRESS OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session

A Consolidated Version of
Senate Bills 602, 750, 1009,1207,1377, 1394, 1762 and 1882

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR STRONGER DETERRENCE AND SPECIAL PROTECTION AGAINST CHILD LABOR AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR ITS VIOLATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

ARTICLE I
TITLE, POLICY, PRINCIPLES AND DEFINITION OF TERMS

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta Against Child Labor".

SECTION 2. Declaration of State Policy and Principles. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their development.

The State shall take into account the best interest of the child in all actions concerning children.

The State recognizes the right of the child to be protected from all forms of exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child's education, or to be harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or psychosocial development.

The State shall pursue a national policy designed to ensure the effective abolition of child labor and to take immediate measures for the prohibition and elimination of its worst forms.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term:

1. Children refers to persons below eighteen (18) years of age or those eighteen and above but are unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of physical or mental disability or condition.
2. Child Labor refers to any work performed by a child that subjects the child to economic exploitation, or that is likely to be hazardous for the child or that interferes with the child's education, or that is harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or psychosocial development.
3. Worst forms of child labor refers to any or all of the following:
   1. all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labor, including recruitment of children for use in armed conflict;
   2. the use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances;
   3. the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances that are prohibited; and
   4. work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children.

4. Hazardous work, condition, undertaking, or activity refers to:
   1. any work, employment or activity, which exposes children to physical, emotional, or sexual abuse;
   2. any work underground, under water, or at dangerous heights;
   3. any work with power-actuated or explosion-driven tools or machineries, or which involves the manual handling or transport of heavy loads;
   4. any work in an unhealthy environment which may, for example, expose children to hazardous substances, agents or processes, or to temperatures, noise levels, or vibrations damaging to their health;
   5. any work under particularly difficult conditions, such as for long hours during the night, or without the possibility of returning home each day; or
   6. any other type of work or activity which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize the health, safety or morals of children.

      Pursuant to the foregoing standards, the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment shall issue a list of hazardous work, condition, undertaking or activity and shall periodically review and update this list as may be necessary.

5. Employer refers to any person, whether natural or juridical, who directly or indirectly procures, uses, avails or contracts out or derives benefit from the services of a child in any undertaking or occupation whether for profit or not, or for a consideration.
6. Parent refers to any biological or adoptive father or mother.
7. Guardian refers to any person mentioned in the Family Code who can exercise substitute parental authority or to any person appointed by the court to exercise parental authority.
8. Public entertainment refers to artistic, literary, and cultural work shown publicly, including but not limited to television, radio, movies, theater, newspapers, magazines, tabloids, electronic media and other forms of media. Public entertainment as herein used does not include guest relations work in clubs, karaoke bars, pubs, hotels, motels and other similar establishments.
9. Subcontractor refers to one who has entered into a contract, express or implied, for the performance of a job, work or service with a person who has already contracted for its performance as contemplated in Articles 106-109 of the Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended, including its implementing rules.
10. Offender refers to any parent, guardian, employer, or any person, including any public official or employee, who violates any provision of this Act.

ARTICLE II
MINIMUM AGE AND REQUIREMENTS OF EMPLOYMENT

SECTION 4. Minimum Age of Employment. - Children less than fifteen (15) years of age shall not be employed, permitted or suffered to work in any undertaking except in the following circumstances:

1. Subject to Article III, Sections 8 and 11 of this Act, when those children work directly under the sole responsibility of parents or guardians provided the work does not endanger the life, safety, health and morals nor impairs the normal development of the child; provided further that the parent or guardian provides the child with primary or secondary education.

   Sole responsibility is to be construed to mean that the parent or guardian is the employer who has direct control and supervision over the child.

2. Subject to Article III, Sections 8 and 11 of this Act, when those children work in public entertainment or information specifically in cinema, theater, radio, television or in other forms of media, when their participation is essential; provided that the contract is concluded with parents or guardians with the express agreement of the child and the approval of the Department of Labor and Employment; provided further that the employer:
   1. Ensures the protection, health, safety, morals and normal development of the child;
   2. Institutes measures to prevent exploitation and discrimination of the child;
   3. Formulates and implements continuing programs for education, training and skills acquisition of the child; and
   4. Secures a work permit from the Department of Labor and Employment before engaging such child in employment.

SECTION 5. - Employment as Apprentices or Learners. - Children fifteen (15) years and above may be employed as apprentices or learners in any apprenticeable or learnable occupation under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) program, provided however, it is not hazardous as defined in this Act.

SECTION 6. - Penalty for Violations of the Minimum Age of Employment - Any employer found to be violating the provisions of this Article, or anyone entering into an agreement with a subcontractor who employs children in violation of the minimum age of employment provided in the preceding Sections shall suffer the penalty of a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00), or imprisonment of six (6) years one (1) day to twelve (12) years, or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

However, any violation of the minimum age of employment in any worst form of child labor shall be penalized with life imprisonment or a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) or both, without prejudice to the provisions of Republic Act 7610 and the Dangerous Drugs Act.

SECTION 7. Prohibition on Worst Forms of Child Labor, including Hazardous Work, Condition, Undertaking or Activity of Children. - No child shall be employed in any worst form of child labor, including hazardous work, condition, undertaking or activity as defined in Article 1, Section 3 (c) and (d) of this Act; provided, in reference to Article II, Section 4 (b) of this Act, the participation of the child in public entertainment or public information does not expose the child to sexual activities and violence. Further, no person shall employ child models in all commercial advertisements promoting alcoholic beverages, intoxicating drinks, tobacco and its byproduct.

Any person found to be violating the provisions of this Section, or anyone entering into an agreement with a subcontractor who employs children in violation of this Section shall suffer the penalty of a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00), or imprisonment of six (6) years one (1) day to twelve (12) years, or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

However, any violation of this Section falling under Article 1 Section 3 (c) numbers (1), (2) and (3) of this Act, shall be penalized with life imprisonment or a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) or both without prejudice to other applicable laws.

ARTICLE III

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

SECTION 8. Allowable Hours of Work for Children Below Fifteen (15) years of age - Subject to Article II, Section 4 (a) and (b) of this Act, no child below fifteen (15) years of age shall be allowed to suffer work for more than four (4) hours a day and in no case to exceed twenty (20) hours a week.

SECTION 9. Allowable Hours of Work for Children Fifteen (15) years of age and above. - Subject to Article II, Section 4 (a) and (b) of this Act, no child fifteen (15) years of age and above shall be allowed to suffer work for more than eight (8) hours a day or forty (40) hours a week.

SECTION 10. Penalty for Violation of Children's Hours of Work - Any employer found to be violating the provisions of Article Ill, Sections 8 and 9 of this Act or anyone entering into an agreement with a subcontractor who employs children in violation of this Section shall suffer the penalty of a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00), or imprisonment of six (6) months and one (1) day to six (6) years, or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

Furthermore, in case of such violation on hours of work, the employer shall pay the child the equivalent amount of overtime compensation for the work rendered in excess of the child's allowable hours of work.

SECTION 11. Prohibition on Night Work -

1. No child below fifteen (15) years of age shall be allowed to suffer work between six o'clock in the evening and six o'clock in the morning of the following day.
2. No child fifteen (15) years of age and above shall be allowed to suffer work between ten o'clock in the evening and six o'clock in the morning of the following day.

Any employer found to be violating the provisions of this Section, or anyone entering into an agreement with a subcontractor who employs, permits or suffers children to work in violation of this Section shall suffer the penalty of a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00), or imprisonment of six (6) months and one (1) day to six (6) years, or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

Furthermore, in case of such violation on night work prohibition, the employer shall pay the child the equivalent amount of night shift compensation for the work rendered during the night period.

SECTION 12. Wage - No child shall be deprived of the prescribed minimum wage as determined by Congress or by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB). All employers are mandated to allow their child workers ages fifteen (15) years and above to personally receive their wage.

Any employer found to be violating the provisions of this Section, or anyone entering into an agreement with a subcontractor who employs children in violation of this Section shall suffer the penalty of a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00), or imprisonment of six (6) months and one (1) day to six (6) years, or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

SECTION 13. Parental Authority and the Right of the Child to His/Her Wage.

Both parents shall administer the income of the child or the property acquired through the work of the child. However, in case of the absence or incapacity of either of the parents, the other parent shall be the guardian for this purpose.

When the value of the annual income of the child exceeds P50,000.00, the parent or guardian concerned shall furnish a bond in such amount as the court may determine, but not less than ten percent (10%) of the annual income, to guarantee the performance of the obligations prescribed for general guardians.

For children below fifteen (15) years of age, the parent or guardian shall set up a trust fund from at least 25% of the earning of the child. The income of the child shall belong to him/her in ownership and shall be set aside primarily for the child's support, education or skills acquisition and secondarily to the collective needs of the family.

Any parent or guardian violating the provisions of this Section shall suffer the penalty provided for in Article VIII, Section 35 (b) of this Act.

SECTION 14. Applicability of Existing Laws on Employee Benefits and Obligations. - All children employed shall be entitled to statutory employee benefits that the other employees of the undertaking or establishment are receiving and shall be subject to application of existing laws on employee obligations.

Any employer found to be violating the provisions of this Section, or any one entering into an agreement with a subcontractor who employs children in violation of this Section shall suffer the penalty of a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00), or imprisonment of six (6) months and one (1) day to six (6) years, or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

SECTION 15. The Child's Employment Record. - The employer, upon request of the child or his/her parent or guardian, shall furnish the child's employment record.

Any employer found to be violating the provisions of this Section, or any one entering into an agreement with a subcontractor who employs children in violation of this Section shall suffer the penalty of a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00), or imprisonment of six (6) months one (1) day to six (6) years, or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

SECTION 16. Child's Health Requirement. - No employer shall accept any child for work or employment as allowed in this Act without such child presenting a medical certificate that he/she is fit for employment. During the period of the child's employment or engagement in work, the employer shall ensure, through annual medical examination by competent health authority, that such child is fit to continue employment or engagement in work.

Any employer found to be violating the provisions of this Section, or any one entering into an agreement with a subcontractor who employs children in violation of this Section shall suffer the penalty of a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00), or imprisonment of six (6) months one (1) day to six (6) years, or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

SECTION 17. Proof of Age Requirements. - No employer shall accept any child for work or employment as allowed in this Act without such child presenting a certified true copy of his/her birth certificate or baptismal certificate or an affidavit attesting to the child's age for the purpose of delayed registration of birth.

Any employer found to be violating the provisions of this Section, or any one entering into an agreement with a subcontractor who employs children in violation of this Section shall suffer the penalty of a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00), or imprisonment of six (6) months one (1) day to six (6) years, or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

ARTICLE IV
OTHER UNLAWFUL ACTS

SECTION 18. Inducement or Coercion to Work in Hazardous Employment or Occupation. - It shall be unlawful for any person to persuade, induce or coerce a child to work or to perform any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child's education, or to be harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or psychosocial development.

Any person found to be violating the provisions of this Section shall suffer the penalty of a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00), or imprisonment of six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years, or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

SECTION 19. Illegal Recruitment of Children. - For purposes of this Act, illegal recruitment refers to any act of canvassing, enlisting, contracting, transporting, utilizing, hiring or procuring workers, and includes referrals, contract services, promising or advertising for prohibited employment locally or abroad, of children as defined in Articles II and Ill of this Act, whether for profit or not. Likewise, it shall include the following acts:

1. To charge or accept directly or indirectly any amount greater than that specified in the schedule of allowable fees prescribed by the Secretary of Labor and Employment, or to make a child pay any amount greater than that actually received by him or her as a loan or advance;
2. To furnish or publish any false notice or information or document in relation to recruitment or employment;
3. To give any false notice, testimony, information or document or commit any act of misrepresentation for the purpose of securing a license or authority under the Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended;
4. To induce or attempt to induce a child worker already employed to quit his or her employment in order to offer him or her another work or undertaking, which violates this Act;
5. To substitute or alter to the prejudice of the child worker, employment contracts approved and verified by the Department of Labor and Employment from the time of actual signing thereof by the parties up to and including the period of the expiration of the same without the approval of the Department of Labor and Employment.

Illegal recruitment when committed by a syndicate or in large scale shall be considered an offense involving economic sabotage.

Illegal recruitment is deemed committed by a syndicate if carried out by a group of three (3) or more persons conspiring and/or confederating with one another in carrying out any unlawful or illegal transaction, enterprise or scheme under the enterprise or scheme defined in the preceding paragraph.

Illegal recruitment is deemed committed in a large scale if any unlawful or illegal transaction, enterprise or scheme under the enterprise or scheme defined in the above paragraph is carried out against a group of three (3) or more persons.

The penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) shall be imposed if illegal recruitment constitutes economic sabotage as defined herein.

If illegal recruitment does not constitute economic sabotage, the recruiter and employer found to be violating the provisions of this Section, or any one entering into an agreement with a subcontractor who employs children in violation of this Section, shall suffer the penalty of a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00), or imprisonment of twelve (12) years and one (1) day but not more than twenty (20) years, or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

ARTICLE V
SPECIAL RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF WORKING CHILDREN

SECTION 2O. Right to Self Organization. - Children shall have the right to self organization pursuant to existing laws.

SECTION 21. Access to Education and Training. - No child shall be deprived of any formal or non-formal education. In all cases of allowable employment of children, employers shall be obliged to provide such children with the opportunity to obtain primary, secondary or non-formal education as the case may be.

SECTION 22. Non-formal Education for Working Children and their Parents. The Department of Education shall:

1. Formulate, promulgate, and implement relevant and effective course designs and educational programs for working children and their parents.
2. Train personnel to address the relevant curriculum for working children and their parents.
3. Increase educational facilities and materials for the said group's alternative education.
4. Conduct continuing research for creative and relevant alternative education.

SECTION 23. Study, Rest and Recreation Time and Area for Working Children. - All employers shall provide within their establishments or workplaces areas where the working children can study, rest and have some recreation and provide time for such activities.

SECTION 24. Access to Immediate Legal and Psychosocial Services. - Working children, especially those who are victims of child labor, shall have the right to free legal, medical, psychological and rehabilitative services, and occupational health and safety information to be provided by the concerned government agencies and other accredited organizations or institutions.

SECTION 25. Inter-agency Networking. - The Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Education, Department of Justice, Department of Interior and Local Government and Department of Health together with employers' groups, workers' groups, duly accredited non-government organizations, as well as other concerned sectors including families of working children, shall work hand in hand to ensure the prevention and protection of children against child labor.

SECTION 26. Penalty for Violation of any of the Working Children's Rights and Privileges. - Any employer found to be violating the provisions of this Article, or any one entering into an agreement with a subcontractor who employs children in violation of any of the provisions of this Article shall suffer the penalty of a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00), or imprisonment of six (6) months and one (1) day to six (6) years, or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

ARTICLE VI
THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE AGAINST CHILD LABOR

SECTION 27. National Committee Against Child Labor. - There is hereby created a National Committee Against Child Labor.

SECTION 28. Composition of the National Committee Against Child Labor. -The following shall be the permanent members of the National Committee Against Child Labor:

1. The Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) or his/her representative not lower in rank than an Undersecretary as its Chairperson;
2. The Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or his/ her representative as its Vice Chairperson;
3. The following shall be its members:
   1. Secretary of the Department of Education or his/her duly authorized representative;
   2. Secretary of the Department of Justice or his/her duly authorized representative;
   3. Secretary of the Department of Health or his/her duly authorized representative;
   4. Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government or his/her duly authorized representative;
   5. Director General of the Philippine Information Agency or his/her duly authorized representative;
   6. Director General of the Philippine National Police or his/her duly authorized representative;
   7. Two representatives each for the following groups:
      1. employers' organizations
      2. workers' organizations
      3. non-governmental organizations
      4. working children's groups

The Secretary of Labor and Employment shall create a coordinative mechanism at the national, regional or local levels that will include other agencies/organizations in the public and private sectors, to support the Committee in the performance of its functions.

SECTION 29. The Functions of the National Committee Against Child Labor. - The Committee shall have the following powers:

1. To promote the enforcement of relevant provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the ILO Conventions 138 and 182 and other relevant ILO Conventions, the applicable national labor legislation and the standards on working children;
2. To establish, coordinate, monitor, and assess programs and standards for the elimination of child labor and the protection of working children;
3. To coordinate multi-sectoral action at the regional and local levels to respond to the needs of working children;
4. To support and participate in the worldwide movement against child labor;
5. To prepare an annual report for the President and all relevant national and international agencies on all actions taken for working children;

SECTION 30. The National Committee Against Child Labor Secretariat. - The Secretary of Labor and Employment shall establish a Secretariat for the National Committee Against Child Labor.

ARTICLE VII
REMEDIAL MEASURES

SECTION 31. Who May File a Complaint - Complaints on cases of prohibited and other unlawful acts defined in this Act committed against children may be filed by any of the following:

1. offended party;
2. parents or guardians of the offended party;
3. any ascendant or collateral relative within the third degree of consanguinity;
4. any officer, social worker or representative of an accredited non-government organization or a licensed child-caring institution;
5. any officer or social worker of the Department of Social Welfare and Development or the local government unit's Social Welfare Development Office;
6. any officer of the Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine National Police or National Bureau of Investigation;
7. the chairman of the barangay where the child is employed or is residing; or
8. at least three (3) concerned, responsible citizens where the violation occurred;

SECTION 32. Protective Custody of the Child. - The offended party shall be immediately placed under the protective custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development or any accredited and deputized non-government organizations.

In the regular performance of this function, the officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development or the child-caring agency under the control and supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development or any officer or person having legal custody over the child shall be free from any administrative, civil or criminal liability.

SECTION 33. Confidentiality. - Any person, whether natural or juridical, shall withhold the personal circumstances of the offended party from the public until the court acquires jurisdiction over the case.

It shall be unlawful for any person, organization or entity to cause undue publicity of any case in violation of this Act which results in the moral degradation and suffering of the offended party.

Any person who violates this provision shall be punished with imprisonment of six (6) months and one (1) day to six (6) years or a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) or both at the discretion of the court without prejudice to the filing of other civil or criminal charges against him.

SECTION 34. Responsibility of Public Officials and Employees. - Any responsible public official or employee shall act within a reasonable period of time on any reported violation under this act.

Any public official or employee who violates this Section shall be subject to the penalties under Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Ethics for Public Officials and Employees.

ARTICLE VIII
COMMON PENAL PROVISIONS.

SECTION 35. Common Penal Provisions. -

1. The penalty provided under this Act shall be imposed in its maximum period if the offender has been previously convicted under this Act.
2. Any parent or guardian found to be violating the provisions of this Act shall pay the fine whenever applicable as provided under the Section violated and be required to render community service of one (1) month and one (1) day to one (1) year; provided, that in addition to the fine under the Section violated the maximum length of community service shall be imposed on parents or guardians who have repeatedly violated the provisions of this Act for two (2) times; provided further, that in addition to the fine under the Section violated and the community service, the penalty of one (1) day to one (1) month imprisonment shall be imposed on the parents or guardians who have repeatedly violated the provisions of this Act for more than two (2) times.
3. The penalty provided herein shall be imposed in its maximum period when the perpetrator is an ascendant or step parent or collateral relative within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity or a manager or owner of an establishment that has no license to operate or its license has expired or has been revoked.
4. When the offender is a foreigner, he shall be deported immediately after service of sentence and forever barred from entry to the country.
5. The penalties provided in this Act shall be imposed in its maximum period, if the offender is also a public official or employee, except for violation of Section 34 hereof and shall, upon final judgment, be dismissed from the government service.
6. If the violation is committed by a corporation, partnership or association, the officer or employee thereof who is responsible for the violation of this Act shall suffer the penalty imposed in its maximum period.
7. In all instances, the convicted offender shall undergo a community service program geared towards child-friendly activities for the proper development of children. The Department of Justice shall develop and administer the community service program.

   The Secretary of Labor and Employment or his/her duly authorized representative may, after due notice and hearing, order the closure of any business, firm or establishment found to have repeatedly violated any of the provisions of this Act for at least two (2) times. He/she may likewise order the immediate closure of any such firm or establishment when the violation of any provision of this Act has resulted in the death, insanity or serious physical injuries of a child employed in such establishment.

   In case of such closure, the employer shall be required to pay his/her employees their separation pay and other monetary benefits provided for by law.

8. The fine determined by the court shall be imposed and administered as a cash fund by the Department of Labor and Employment and disbursed for the needs, including the costs on rehabilitation and reintegration, of each child victim.

ARTICLE IX
FINAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 36. Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Labor and Employment, in consultation with concerned public and private sectors shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within six (6) months after its effectivity.

Such rules and regulations shall take effect upon their publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

SECTION 37. Appropriations. - The amount of Twenty Five Million Pesos (P25,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from the profits of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for the initial operations of the Committee and, subsequently, the appropriations of the same shall be included in the General Appropriations Act for the year following its enactment.

SECTION 38. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the validity of the remaining provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 39. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, or rules inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 40. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect upon completion of its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

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