‘Work-from-home’ bill gets senate and house approval in Phillippines

Filipino workers will soon get the option to telecommute, as the work-from-home bill has been ratified by both the Senate and House of Representatives. This will provide workers a work-life balance and a flexible work arrangement.

Currently, the bill, named the Telecommuting Act of 2017, awaits the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte to become a law.

The bill encourages employers to allow telecommuting, which is a remote work arrangement enabling employees in the private sector to work outside the office so that there is no need to commute to work.

The bicam report, however, stressed that working from home will still remain a prerogative of the employers, and will be based on a mutual agreement.

Senator Joel Villanueva, author and sponsor of the bill, said the bill seeks to address traffic congestion and promote work-life balance.