DOLE readies IRR on Green Jobs Law

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is preparing to draft the necessary implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Green Jobs Law.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said DOLE is mandated to come out with the IRR within six months.

Baldoz said she already directed the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) and other concerned agencies under DOLE to draft  the IRR.

“I have already instructed concerned national government agencies to begin the drafting of the law’s IRR.  We have 180 days from the effectivity of the law to draft the IRR,” she said.

The labor chief said the signing of the new law would hasten the transition of the country to a “green economy” where jobs are not only decent but help conserve and nurture the environment.

“This law will benefit generations of Filipinos who, I am confident, will look back to the administration of President Aquino for securing the legacy of their future,” Baldoz said.

According to Baldoz, green jobs or employment that contributes to preserving or restoring the quality of the environment, include jobs that help protect ecosystems and biodiversity; reduce energy, materials, and water consumption through high efficiency strategies; de-carbonize the economy; and minimize, or altogether avoid, the generation of all forms of waste and pollution.

“Green jobs are decent jobs that are productive, respect the rights of workers, deliver fair incomes, provide security in the workplace and social protection for families, and promote social dialogue,” Baldoz said.

The new law, she said, encourages business enterprises to generate and sustain green jobs by providing incentives, in addition to fiscal and non-fiscal incentives already granted or provided under existing laws, orders and regulations.

Under the new law, business enterprises that generate and sustain green jobs shall enjoy special deduction from the taxable income equivalent to 50 percent of the total expenses for skills training and research development expenses. The special deduction is over and above the allowable ordinary and necessary business deductions for said expenses under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.

Green enterprises shall also be entitled to tax- and duty-free importation of capital equipment, provided that the capital equipment is actually, directly, and exclusively used in the promotion of green jobs of the enterprise.

Baldoz said DOLE and several government agencies are mandated by the new law to perform specific responsibilities. For its part, DOLE is tasked to formulate a National Green Jobs human resource development plan.

DOLE has already formulated HRD roadmaps for 27 industries in support of the industry roadmaps of the Department of Trade and Industry, Baldoz added.

“The National Green Jobs HRD Plan will be a welcome addition to the roadmaps, as well as the inclusion of the Secretary of Labor and Employment as a member of the Climate Change Commission,” Baldoz said.

Baldoz said the plan shall ensure the Philippine economy’s effective and sustainable transition into a green economy, one that generates green jobs towards more employment and equal opportunities and the promotion of social justice and workers’ welfare.

DOLE, together with the Philippine Statistics Authority, is also mandated to maintain a database of green careers, and profession and skills, as well as a list of emerging business enterprises that generate and sustain green jobs.

Government financial institutions are also required to provide preferential financial packages to business enterprises that create green jobs.