Question & AnswerQ&A (LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS NO. 974)
The main purpose of Letter of Instructions No. 974 is to promote the elimination of discrimination against women and ensure their integration in partnership with men in the national development effort through affirmative steps by government agencies and instrumentalities.
All Ministries, Offices, Agencies, Instrumentalities, Local Governments, and Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations are directed to comply with the provisions of L.I. No. 974.
L.I. No. 974 seeks to implement the provisions of the Philippine Constitution, laws, and international conventions and agreements to eliminate discrimination against women and promote equality in employment and national development.
Government agencies must implement equality in employment, provide equal work opportunities, equal pay for work of equal value, ensure women’s participation in planning and decision-making positions, and eliminate discriminatory practices without reasonable basis on the ground of sex.
Yes, the Letter directs offices to afford women opportunities to participate in planning, policy, and decision-making by appointing or recommending qualified women to such positions at local, national, or international levels.
Yes, private enterprises subject to the jurisdiction of government agencies or with which they transact business must not engage in discriminatory practices against women without reasonable basis on the classification by sex.
Government agencies must remove or eliminate practices contrary to the Constitution, laws, and treaties that discriminate against women where no reasonable basis for sex-based classification exists.
Yes, all concerned offices are required to make periodic reports to the Office of the President on the actions taken in compliance with the directives of L.I. No. 974.
L.I. No. 974 promotes equality in employment regardless of sex, equal work opportunities, and equal pay for work of equal value.