Leyte Rep. Yedda Romualdez has lauded her fellow lawmakers for the passage of a proposed measure to grant a 100-day paid maternity leave through a viva voce voting.
The House of Representatives approved House Bill No. 4113 on second reading.
“This is a very important proposal that deserves the support of Congress. This would definitely give ample time for mothers to nurture, take care and breastfeed their newborns for the first 100 days,” she said.
At present, a paid maternity leave covers only 60 days after giving normal birth, and 78 days for cesarean delivery.
“We have to support the bill because this will provide better benefits to the ordinary working women. It’s really difficult to recover, especially if the delivery is through cesarean. I can relate to this experience,” Romualdez said.
HB No. 4113 was earlier endorsed for plenary approval by former Democratic Independent Workers’ Association Rep. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, a former chairperson of the House committee on women and gender equality.
On March 6, 2017, the Senate approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 1305 to grant a 120-day paid maternity leave with an option to extend it for another 30 days without pay.
