As complementary policies to the privatization and deregulation programs of the government in the provision of port services and to ensure that the welfare and security of tenure of the port workers are assured in every government port that is privatized, as mandated under Executive Order No. 212 dated 28 November 1994, the following directives are hereby issued:

1. The Philippine Ports Authority shall, as part of its mandate, afford full protection to labor and promote equal employment opportunities to all port workers.

2. No port worker shall be laid off as a result of any change in the cargo handler or port service operator, nor shall such change result in the diminution of his existing employment benefits.

3. No cargo handler or terminal operator presently operating at a port or terminal or those to be privatized by PPA shall practice, or revert to the "cabo" system.

4. Within three (3) months from the issuance of this Order, PPA shall work for the establishment of a Port Workers Social Amelioration Fund.

5. The PPA is hereby authorized to issue the appropriate implementing guidelines to effect these directives.

This order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 26 July 1995

(SGD.) JESUS B. GARCIA, JR.
Secretary