Two lawmakers on Monday renewed their call for the passage of a bill expanding maternity leave benefits for female workers in both the public and private sector.
Reps. Bernadette Herrera-Dy of Bagong Henerasyon party-list and Teddy Baguilat Jr. of Ifugao expressed hope the House leadership led by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez will give its full backing to House Bill 4113 or the proposed “100-day Maternity Leave Law.”
“The struggle is real—the uphill battle to pass a bill on expanded maternity protection has already spanned several Congresses. I strongly believe that this 17th Congress, we will finally see it to fruition,” Herrera-Dy, chairpman of the Committee on Women and Gender Equality, said.
“During the advocacy event on maternity protection we conducted last March 5, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez stated his support for the passage of the bill. This demonstrated Congress leadership’s recognition of the importance of optimal maternal and child health as legislative priorities,” she added.
The bill intends to address the fact that Philippines has the fewest days for maternity leave in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The current law provides Filipino women are entitled to less than a hundred days maternity leave — which, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) is way below its recommended minimum maternity leave of 98 days.
In the Philippines, women who had normal child delivery are entitled to only 60 days of maternity leave, and 78 days if the birth is by caesarian section (CS).
HB 4113 expands the existing maternity leave to 100 days with pay, and giving an option to avail of a 30-day extension without pay.
The measure had already been approved on second reading, and is expected to be passed on third and final reading before Congress goes on a Lenten break beginning March 23.
“Let us end the struggle and give our women the maternity protection they rightfully deserve,” Herrera-Dy said.
For his part, Baguilat doused fears among mothers that it would be a lost opportunities for them if they avail of the longer maternity leave as provided under the bill.
“As a former local chief executive, I know very well the impact of strong leadership in institutionalizing gender-responsive policies and programs throughout the LGU (local government unit),” Baguilat, a former Ifugao governor, said.
