Implementing the Social Amelioration and Welfare Program in the Biofuel Industry

The biofuel industry is composed of bioethanol out of sugarcane and molasses; and biodiesel or

coco methyl-ester (CME) out of coconut.

Department Order 100-10 establishes a Tripartite Consultative Council for SAWP in the biofuel industry but it is limited to sugarcane only.

A Tripartite Consultative Council for SAWP in the Biofuel Industry (TCC SAWP) is composed of the management, labor and government sectors. It will serve as the advisory body of the DOLE in policy-making, program implementation and monitoring of the SAWP for biofuel workers.

The TCC SAWP shall consist of twelve (12) members composed of the following: Government Sector (4) Secretary of DOLE or his/her duly authorized representative as ex-officio Chairperson; One (1) representative from SRA (ex-officio) and Vice Chair for Bioethanol Concerns; One (1) representative from PCA (ex-officio) and Vice Chair for Biodiesel Concerns; and One (1) representative from DOE (ex-officio)

Management Sector (4) One (1) Bioethanol Producer One (1) Biodiesel Producer One (1) Bioethanol Feedstock Producer One (1) Biodiesel Feedstock Producer Labor Sector (4) One (1) Bioethanol Plant Worker One (1) Biodiesel Plant Worker One (1) Bioethanol Feedstock Worker One (1) Biodiesel Feedstock Worker

The representatives from the Labor and Management Sectors shall be appointed by the Secretary from among the nominees. Where there is no nomination from the sector or no existing organization, the DOLE Secretary may appoint a representative to the Council as he/she may deem fit to represent the sector.

Serve as the advisory body to the DOLE relative to the effective implementation of SAWP in the biofuel industry; Evaluate and recommend to the Secretary any necessary adjustment in the amount of lien and in the formula used in determining the amount of lien for the implementation of SAWP; Recommend to the Secretary any policy and program that will ensure the effective and efficient utilization of the lien allocated for socio-economic programs and any and all of its incomes and interests;

Recommend to the Secretary the manner of utilization of the forfeited amount, including the interest earnings, for the development of projects and programs for biofuel workers;

Recommend to the Secretary, whenever necessary, the creation of committees on SAWP for bioethanol and biodiesel to ensure that specific SAWP related concerns are addressed; Recommend to the Secretary, whenever necessary, the creation of local councils to ensure participation of biofuel producers and workers in policy development and program formulation and implementation at the local level; Adopt rules of its own proceedings; and Perform such other functions necessary to attain the objectives of the SAWP for biofuel workers and this IRR.

The Council shall hold meetings once every quarter at a place, date and time fixed by it; Provided that it may conduct special meetings called upon by the Chairperson, upon written request to the Chairperson by at least three (3) of its members.

The Chairperson or his/her duly-authorized representative and the members of the TCC shall be entitled to the reimbursement of reasonable traveling expenses. The representatives from the workers and employers sector shall, in addition, be entitled to per diem for meetings attended by them which shall initially be charged against the available fund of DOLE for SAWP administration.

Department of Labor and Employment 2011