ENSURE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO MEMBERS
OF INDIGENOUS CULTURAL COMMUNITIES - LEGARDA

Senator Loren Legarda proposed that the government reserve at least ten percent (10%) of the rank and file positions in government service for members of Indigenous Cultural Communities in the localities where they are domiciled provided that their appointments are in accordance with the civil service laws.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities filed Senate Bill No. 1372 to ensure that there will be equal employment opportunities to members of the Indigenous Cultural Communities.

Senate Bill No. 1382 also requires every employer to respect the employee's right to actively participate in his religious or ethnic activities in line with the religious protection as well as limitations provided in the 1987 Constitution and jurisprudence.

Legarda said employers who refuse to hire or discriminate against or discharges any person because of his religion or ethnic origin should be fined by as much as Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) or sentenced to a maximum of at least Six (6) years.