WHEREAS, the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC) was established through Executive Order (EO) No. 403 (s. 1990), as amended by EO 25 (s. 1992), EO 383 (s. 1996) and EO 49 (s. 1998) to promote meaningful tripartite consultation among the labor, employers and government sectors in the formulation and implementation of labor policies;

WHEREAS, during the 21 January 1999 High Level Conference on Labor and Employment, after due sectoral and regional consultations, the participants adopted the Medium Term Comprehensive Employment Plan (1999-2004) which identifies the national, sectoral and regional/local employment targets, policies, priorities and strategies;

WHEREAS, a truly representative and authoritative oversight mechanism is essential to ensure effective coordination and monitoring of efforts of both the public and private sectors to the commitments under the Comprehensive Employment Plan (CEP) thereby enhancing the prospects of attaining the employment goals;

WHEREAS, the TIPC, a multi-sectoral body composed of representatives from government, workers, employers and their organizations, is deemed an effective mechanism to ensure effective coordination and monitoring of efforts to implement both public and private sector commitments under the Comprehensive Employment Plan (CEP); and,

WHEREAS, there is need to amend EO 49 to expand the functions of the TIPC thereof for the effective implementation of the CEP.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Expansion of the Functions of the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council. The functions of the TIPC are hereby expanded to include overseeing the implementation of the Medium Term Comprehensive Employment Plan (CEP). Relative thereto, it shall undertake the following:

a. Monitor the observance of policy guidelines and implementation of the action plans committed by those concerned agencies at the national and regional/local levels;

b. Facilitate the securing of the necessary budget, technical and human resources support for the effective implementation of the CEP;

c. Identify major problems in the implementation of the action plans and their causes and institute or recommend necessary corrective measures to the agency concerned;

d. Review and recommend policies, strategies and programs for improving employment generation, facilitation, enhancement and preservation;

e. Convene quarterly assessment meetings, prepare the Annual Philippine Employment Report, update the CEP annually and organize a comprehensive review of the plan every three years;

f. Prepare and implement a communication plan to generate support for the CEP from Congress, other offices of the Executive Branch, and the public;

g. Submit quarterly reports to the President on the status of the implementation of the programs including issues and attendant recommendations thereon as well as the annual updates on the CEP; and,

h. Perform such other functions as the President may direct.

The Regional Tripartite Industrial Peace Councils (RTIPCs), chaired by the DOLE Regional Directors, shall oversee the implementation of the Regional Employment Plan of their respective regions, in coordination with the Regional Development Councils (RDCs).

SEC. 2. Coordination with the Economic Mobilization Group. The TIPC shall work within the framework of the Economic Mobilization Group (EMG), created by virtue of AO No. 376 (s. 1998), and shall serve as one of its sub-sectors.

SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. This Order amends all issuances, rules and regulations or any part thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Order.

SEC. 4. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 1st day of May, in the year of Our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine.

(SGD.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary