Title
Local Hiring Mandate for Public Works
Law
Republic Act No. 6685
Decision Date
Dec 12, 1988
Republic Act No. 6685 requires private contractors awarded public works projects to hire a certain percentage of local residents for unskilled and skilled labor, with exemptions for certain types of projects, and failure to comply can result in fines, suspension, or disqualification from public works bidding.
A

Scope of Covered Public Works Projects

  • Covers all public works projects at the national, provincial, city, municipal, and barangay levels.
  • Examples include roads, schools, power and water systems, piers, airports, and similar infrastructure projects.

Exclusions and Special Considerations

  • Scientific projects of a highly technical nature are excluded.
  • Defense and military installations under security requirements are also excluded.
  • Public works assigned to engineering battalions of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are excluded.
  • If strategic projects excluded above are implemented by private contractors, clearance from the Chief of Staff of the AFP and/or Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology is required.
  • In such cases, Section 1 labor requirements still apply.

Notice of Labor Requirements

  • Contractors and subcontractors must post notices in conspicuous places as designated by local authorities.
  • Notices must be in Filipino, English, or the local dialect.
  • Notices must indicate that local residents are needed for labor.
  • Applicants must prove residency via voter ID, other reliable ID, or certification from the barangay captain or council member.
  • Applicants are required to meet reasonable performance requirements set by the contractor.

Certificate of Compliance

  • Contractors and subcontractors must submit a sworn certificate of compliance with labor requirements during every progress billing.
  • Certificate must include a list of names of locally hired residents.
  • Submission is made to the district, provincial, or city engineer.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

  • First offense: Fine of 20,000 Philippine Pesos.
  • Second offense: Suspension from participating in public works bidding for one year.
  • Third offense: Permanent disqualification from participating in public works bidding.
  • Penalty provisions must be included in all contracts between government and private contractors.

Implementing Rules and Regulations

  • The Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall issue implementing rules within 60 days after the law's approval.
  • The rules will be developed after consultation with accredited national construction associations and the Secretary of Labor.

Effectivity

  • The law takes effect upon complete publication in at least two national newspapers of general circulation.

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