EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 782 February 10, 2009

INSTITUTING MEASURES TO ASSIST WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS AND TEMPORARY FILLING UP OF VACANT POSITIONS IN THE GOVERNMENT

WHEREAS, the effects of the current global crisis are now felt by the country’s economy, particularly in terms of company slowdowns and closure affecting workers;

WHEREAS, despite the overall resilience of the economy and the willingness of employers to help the affected workers, greater concerted efforts by and between the government and the private sector are necessary to prevent the deepening of the crisis and to quicken recovery;

WHEREAS, the government must exhibit strong leadership and inspire confidence by contributing to job security of workers and shore up the capacity of the private sector to support this national effort;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the concerned agencies and instrumentalities of the government to implement the following:

1. Allocate and utilize one and a half percent (1.5%) of their Budget for Operating Expenses for temporary hiring of qualified Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) registered displaced workers and their dependants.

2. Campaign to encourage buoyant industries and companies under their supervision to hire on temporary or fixed, short-term basis DOLE registered displaced workers and their dependants.

3. Authorize the temporary filling-up of vacant plantilla positions in agencies whose approval of Rationalization Plans are pending at the Department of Budget and Management.

All agencies shall report to the Deparment of Labor and Employment the jobs that will be created pursuant to this Directive.

Done in the City of Manila, this   10th   day of February in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Nine.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA

Executive Secretary