Philippine Lawmakers File House Bill to Regulate AI Use and Protect Workers

Philippines Proposes AI Governance Act (HB 10362) to Protect Workers

Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno files House Bill 10362 (AI Governance Act) in the Philippines, mandating a 6-month notice before AI deployment and introducing an AI Bill of Rights.

Key Takeaways

• New Legislation: Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno and fellow lawmakers filed House Bill No. 10362, also known as the AI Governance Act.
• Advance Worker Notice: Companies using “high-impact” AI systems must notify affected employees at least six months prior to deployment.
• Reskilling Support: Mandates upskilling, reskilling, and job transition assistance for workforce disruption caused by AI automation.
• AI Bill of Rights: Establishes legal protections ensuring data privacy, algorithmic transparency, and defense against biased or unfair automated decisions.

MANILA, Philippines — In a major push toward ethical technology regulation, Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno and co-lawmakers have filed House Bill No. 10362, formally titled the AI Governance Act. The proposed legislation seeks to establish a comprehensive national policy framework for artificial intelligence (AI) in the Philippines, balancing tech innovation with strong safeguards for Filipino workers and consumers.

As artificial intelligence adoption accelerates across key industries—including business process outsourcing (BPO), finance, and manufacturing—concerns over job displacement, privacy breaches, and algorithmic bias have intensified. HB 10362 aims to address these challenges proactively.

Mandatory 6-Month Notice and Worker Reskilling

One of the bill’s flagship provisions targets potential employment disruption caused by high-impact AI tools and automated systems. Under HB 10362:

• Six-Month Advance Notice: Businesses and organizations planning to implement high-impact AI technologies must notify affected workers at least six months before rollout.
• Transition & Upskilling Programs: Companies will be required to offer reskilling, upskilling, and career transition assistance to safeguard employees facing role changes or displacement due to automation.

Lawmakers emphasize that these measures aim to prevent sudden layoffs and ensure that the Filipino workforce remains resilient amidst digital transformation.

Establishing an “AI Bill of Rights”

Beyond labor protection, the AI Governance Act introduces a foundational AI Bill of Rights designed to protect citizens interacting with automated systems. This framework mandates:

1. Privacy & Data Security: Stricter standards on how AI models handle user data and personal information.
2. Algorithmic Transparency: Clear disclosures when automated decision-making systems affect critical individual outcomes, such as hiring, financial lending, or public services.
3. Protection from Automated Bias: Regulatory checks to prevent unfair, discriminatory, or flawed AI-generated outcomes.

Balancing Tech Growth and Consumer Safety

Commenting on the measure, Rep. Chel Diokno highlighted the necessity of clear regulatory boundaries to harness AI’s economic potential without compromising human rights or public trust.