Labor-Intensive Methods.
Section 4
SEC. 4. Labor-Intensive Methods.—Whenever technically and economically feasible, labor-intensive methods shall be used in the prosecution of the projects authorized in this Act: Provided, That (a) the estimated financial cost of each project done by labor-intensive methods does not exceed the cost of the best alternative construction method defined by the agency concerned by more than ten per centum (10%), (b) the estimated duration of the project done by labor-intensive methods does not exceed the duration of the best alternative method defined by the agency concerned by more than fifty per centum (50%), and (c) the employment of workers in the projects will not unduly impair the labor requirements of agricultural production: Provided, finally, That before any such project is prosecuted, the agency concerned shall prepare at least two alternative methods of construction based on the same plans and structural standards, one being labor-intensive together with a comparative evaluation of projected financial and economic costs, employment generation, and technical quality; such comparison shall be the basis for selecting the most advantageous construction techniques to be employed in terms of the criteria aforestated. The District or City Engineer concerned shall certify in the program of work that he has maximized the use of labor-intensive methods in accordance with the foregoing criteria. The purchase of hand tools and other work implements for undertaking projects by labor-intensive methods may be charged against project funds not exceeding five per centum (5%) of the estimated project cost. These implements may be turned over to the laborers with the payment therefor deductible from their wages on reasonable installments during the duration of their employment in the project. The agencies concerned shall refer to and take into consideration the relevant studies of the Ministry of Public Works, Transportation and Communications and the Ministry of Public Highways for the identification of project work items or activities suitable for labor-intensive methods of construction.