STALL OWNERS of the John Gokongwei School of Management (JGSOM) Enterprise Center (JSEC) voiced their concerns and proposed their recommendations following the approval of the Sanggunian Act (S.A.) No. 41.

The new legislation repeals the JSEC Benefit Team Act of 2021 (JSEC BenTE) and serves as a temporary measure pending the passage of a replacement bill within six months. Notably, the act seeks to develop a more holistic welfare for JSEC stall workers and owners.

Before introducing a replacement bill, the JGSOM Sanggunian and its Legislative Cluster have been tasked to consult with stakeholders. The bill aims to provide well-rounded welfare support to JSEC workers during daily operations and in times of crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following this, Beso stall owner Rico Guevarra expressed positivity with the act, citing its potential to benefit workers and owners in addressing emergencies, among other possible provisions. However, he added that he hopes for more proactive updates from the JGSOM Sanggunian to inform stakeholders.

Recent updates

According to Section 4.1 of the Act, the consultations needed for the pending replacement bill must include JSEC workers, present and past JSEC stall student-owners, the Aspiring Restaurant Entrepreneurs Association, the JSEC administration, and other entities involved in handling JSEC.

Notably, S.A. No. 41 states that instead of including the entire concerned entity, the consultations may involve formal representatives or leaders of the group only. If a group does not have a formal leader, the Act requires a minimum of five persons from the entity for it to be legally deemed as a consultation.

Given the six-month deadline to introduce a replacement bill, JGSOM Representative Romaine James Hubilla shared that the final version of the bill is still being drafted, noting that the JGSOM Sanggunian’s legislative team has “dedicated a lot of time to consulting different stakeholders.”

Following this, Guevarra suggested that the replacing act could provide a safety net for employees while also helping owners prepare for unexpected issues, such as medical and familial emergencies.

Guevarra noted that operational difficulties, like emergencies, can still occur even when JSEC stall owners are aware of employee welfare considerations, such as monetary compensation, cash advances, and employee contracts. He cited an instance when the Beso owners were not formally prepared when two employees simultaneously needed a prolonged emergency leave and funds to pay for a funeral.

Guiding by listening

With gaps in the current system of JSEC operations, stall owner Finn* expressed the importance of consulting and informing stakeholders about the developments and provisions of the replacement act before its actual execution.

“[The Sanggunian should] have meetings with the owners if they really want [the stakeholders] to be involved, and they should communicate well with the employees [regarding] how this bill will go and how it will benefit them,” he added.

Similarly, Guevarra disclosed that he did not participate in the creation of S.A. No. 41 nor was he made fully aware of its implementation. Hence, he emphasized the need for consultations with JSEC stall owners and proper communication channels to brief all involved parties about how these acts can affect their operations.

“The JSEC owners change every year, so I feel like [consultations] should be a yearly [endeavor] with the new JSEC owners. […]  I think before they start, they [should already be] briefed about […] how this act or clause would affect their business, them as owners, and their employees,” Guevarra stated.

Notably, the JGSOM Sanggunian previously shared their efforts to conduct consultations with JSEC workers during the creation of S.A. No. 41. For the replacement bill, however, the JGSOM Sanggunian is expected to expand such efforts by consulting at least eight groups and entities related to JSEC.

Aside from the aforementioned entities involved in JSEC, other groups also include the Ateneo Management Association, students or administrators from the BS Restaurant Entrepreneurship and BS Management programs, JGSOM course representatives, and other entities the Sanggunian may deem to be influential to the welfare of JSEC workers. 

Looking forward to next year’s JSEC iteration, Luis Dungao—owner of Mongch, which won the JSEC Challenge 2025—said he hopes for future JSEC stall owners to be involved in the creation and implementation of the replacement act to include the perspective of business owners.

Building better futures

Despite transparency concerns surrounding the implementation of S.A. No. 41, Dungao recognized the need for an act to support JSEC workers beyond financial aid and emergency-focused assistance.

He also shared that the revision can include a working support fund for health benefits, skills training, career counseling, and hospital assistance.

Guevarra also outlined potential directions for the replacement bill, stressing the importance of mandating breaks for workers to rest and eat during daily operations. He further expressed the need to ensure other forms of support for workers during class suspensions.

As the six-month mark since the initial approval of the bill last February 19 approaches, Guevarra remains hopeful that the replacement bill will focus on the well-being of JSEC workers and address potential emergencies, given the frequency of disasters and subsequent suspensions in the Philippines.