Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 307)
The purpose is to establish an Occupational Safety and Health Center within the Employees' Compensation Commission to enhance government capability in reducing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths, thereby improving worker safety, health, and productivity.
The Center shall be located at North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, on a two-hectare lot owned by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Department of Labor and Employment.
The main functions include conducting studies on occupational health and safety, developing training programs, serving as an information clearing house, monitoring working environments, testing and setting standards for safety devices, assisting in policy formulation, adopting an annual budget, and enlisting assistance from government and private organizations.
The Employees' Compensation Commission serves as the governing body of the Center.
They are appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Chairman of the Employees' Compensation Commission.
They must have at least a Bachelor's degree and a minimum of five years' experience in the administration of occupational health and safety or employees' compensation and social security programs.
The budget is chargeable against the State Insurance Fund. The Social Security System (SSS) and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) advance quarterly remittances based on the approved annual budget, which shall not exceed 4% of the 12% loading fund based on the State Insurance Fund and its earnings.
JICA financed the construction, equipment, and facilities of the Center through its grant-aid and technical cooperation programs, and its expert on occupational safety and health sits as a non-voting member of the Board.
The SSS and GSIS are ordered to immediately release Thirty Million Pesos out of the loading fund for the Center's initial operations and subsequently remit yearly funds according to the approved budget with a 70%-30% sharing basis respectively.
Yes, Section 9 states that this Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon issuance.