Reorganization of Ministry of Labor and POEA

The Ministry is headed by a Minister appointed by the President.
Deputy Ministers may be appointed to assist the Minister, with clear substantive roles but excluding primarily administrative tasks.

A new Bureau of Local Employment is established by merging the Bureau of Apprenticeship and domestic employment functions of the Bureau of Employment Services.
This Bureau inherits the assets and personnel of the abolished units.

The POEA is created to take over functions from the Overseas Employment Development Board, National Seamen Board, and overseas employment functions of the Bureau of Employment Services.
Its responsibilities include the promotion and monitoring of overseas employment of Filipino workers, considering domestic manpower needs.
It holds exclusive jurisdiction over disputes involving overseas Filipino workers’ employer-employee relations, including money claims.
The POEA Board consists of the Minister (Chairman), the Administrator, and a third member appointed by the President, serving a renewable two-year term.
The Administration is internally organized into subdivisions: welfare services, placement and market development, and regulation.
Advisory Boards for Overseas Employment and Seamen, largely composed of private sector members, provide advice to the Administration.
The Regional Labor Office for the Middle East and Africa is incorporated under the Administration.

The Ministry includes the Office of the Minister, Planning Service, Labor Statistics Service, Financial and Management Service, Administrative Service, Information and Publication Service, International Labor Affairs Service, and Legal Service.
Deputy Ministers are part of the Office of the Minister.

The Ministry supervises bureaus such as Local Employment, Labor Relations, Working Conditions, Rural Workers, Women and Minors, and the Institute of Labor and Manpower Studies.
It administratively supervises entities including the National Labor Relations Commission, National Wages Council, POEA, and Overseas Workers Welfare Fund.

The Employees Compensation Commission is attached to the Ministry for policy and program coordination.

The Ministry may establish regional offices under the Office of the Minister.
Each regional office is headed by a Regional Director, assisted by an Assistant Regional Director as needed.
Labor conciliators and Med-Arbiters in these offices are compensated two salary grades below National Labor Relations Commission Arbiters.
Minister has authority over regional reassignments to enhance service.

Overseas offices may be established subject to Presidential approval.
The Labor Attaché has supervisory authority over Ministry personnel abroad, including POEA staff.

The Minister may reorganize Ministries' internal offices and units as enumerated.

The Ministry may issue rules and regulations, subject to budget office approval regarding staffing and compensation.
Personnel from abolished agencies may be appointed to new positions; those not appointed are considered laid off.

Presidential appointees of bureaus and other supervised or administered entities are laid off unless reappointed by the President.
Career Executive Service Officers may be reassigned or reappointed; otherwise, assigned to the Career Executive Service Board.
Those not placed within six months shall be laid off.

Individuals laid off are entitled to benefits and gratuities provided under existing laws.

Current incumbents continue their usual functions until appropriate implementing orders are issued.

Necessary funds shall be made available from applicable appropriations subject to Presidential and budgetary approval.

Existing laws and orders inconsistent with this Executive Order are repealed or modified accordingly.

Any unconstitutional portion shall not nullify the remaining provisions, provided they can still stand independently.