Question & AnswerQ&A (LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS NO. 368)
The purpose of Letter of Instructions No. 368 is to list vital industries or companies or firms for purposes of PD 823 as amended, guiding workers and employers on which industries are considered vital to prevent unnecessary strikes and lockouts.
The recipients are the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of National Defense, the Secretary of Justice, and the Solicitor General.
Public utilities include transportation companies (land, air, water), brokerage, arrastre, warehousing firms; communications such as wire/wireless telecommunications, radio, television, print media, postal and messengerial services; companies engaged in electric, light, gas, steam, and water power generation and distribution; sanitary service companies; and ice and refrigeration plants.
Companies engaged in manufacturing or processing animal feeds, cement, chemicals and fertilizers, drugs and medicines, flour, essential commodities classified by NEDA (with some exceptions), iron, steel, copper, tin plates, other basic mineral products, milk, newsprint, tires, sugar, and textile and garments.
Yes, companies engaged in the production and processing of products for export holding Central Bank or Board of Investments Certificate of Export Orientation, including hotels and restaurants classified as 3, 4, or 5 star by the Department of Tourism, are considered vital.
Yes, financial institutions included are commercial banks, savings banks, development banks, investment banks, rural banks, savings and loans associations, cooperative banks, and credit unions.
Companies or firms actually engaged in government infrastructure projects and activities covered by defense contracts are considered vital.
Hospitals as defined in Section 2, Rule 1-A, Book III of the Rules and Regulations Implementing the Labor Code of the Philippines are included.
Yes, schools and colleges duly recognized by the government are included as vital industries.
Yes, the Secretary of Labor may include or exclude any industry, firm, or company from the list as the national interest, national security, or general welfare may require.