The expanded maternity leave law will soon go full cycle after officials approved its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) on Labor Day, author and principal sponsor Senator Risa Hontiveros said Wednesday.
“I am happy that the implementing rules and regulations of the measure were signed and released today,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
“I welcome this development as this ensures the full implementation of the law and that all women will benefit from the measure.”
“This is certainly good news to all women workers and their families who have patiently waited for the law’s IRR,” she added.
The law, which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in February, extends paid maternity leave to 105 days.
Reacting to the approval, Senator Nancy Binay described as the “best gift” for mothers on Labor Day the issuance of the IRR of the Expanded Maternity Leave Act.
She said many families were waiting for the IRR and “We thank all concerned agencies and stakeholders for working tirelessly to make this happen.
She also renewed her call that companies and other institutions should not perceive the law as a bane to productivity that would lead to more discrimination in the workplace.
“Let us start creating a work environment where women are not discriminated for wanting to be parents,” said the re-electionist senator, one of the authors of the Expanded Maternity Leave measure in Senate that was signed into law by the President on Feb. 20.
Furthermore, she said fathers would also be given more time to spend with their loved ones as the law also included a provision allowing the allocation of seven maternity leave days to fathers, raising the paternity leave to 14 days from the current seven days.
As the principal sponsor and author of the Expanded Maternity Leave Law in the Senate, Hontiveros said she was happy that the implementing IRR of the measure were signed and released Wednesday.
“I welcome this development as this ensures the full implementation of the law and that all women will benefit from the measure. This is certainly good news to all women workers and their families who have patiently waited for the law’s IRR,” she said.
“I would like to thank the Department of Labor and Employment, the Social Security System, the Civil Service Commission, the different legislative offices, labor groups and other relevant agencies for tirelessly working to craft and finalize the law’s IRR,” she added.
The law provides 105 days of paid maternity leave to all working mothers and an additional 15 days to solo mothers. Mothers will also have the option to extend for an additional 30 days of unpaid leave.
The maternity benefits will apply to every instance of pregnancy, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy regardless of frequency.
Prior to the enactment of the law, women are allowed only 60 days of paid maternity leave.
