The bill seeking to extend paid maternity leave to 105 days for both public and private sectors is one step closer to becoming a law after the bicameral committee approved the resolution for lower and upper chamber ratification.
The Expanded Maternity Leave Bill states that working mothers can take 105 days of paid maternity leave; seven of which are transferable to fathers in a form of paternity leave to help their wives take care of their newborn children.
The bill adds that after the 105 paid maternity leave, mothers can opt to extend their leave to 30 more days. The 30-day leave extension, however, will be considered unpaid.
Meanwhile, solo parents will have a longer paid maternity leave of 120 days.
After the approval of the bill under the bicameral level, the Senate and the House of Representatives now have to ratify the reconciled version of the bill before it can be signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Once signed, violators will be asked to pay a penalty of at least P20,000.
Under the current bill, mothers are only allowed to take paid maternity leave of up to 60 days and is only available for up to four pregnancies.
Meanwhile, lawmakers welcomed the approval of the bill under the bicameral level.
“This is a very positive start of our #PinkOctober campaign that seeks to highlight women’s health,” said Rep. Emmi de Jesus of the women’s party-list group Gabriela.
“This is proof of women’s resounding call for lawmakers to increase the current 60-day maternity leave period for normal delivery, which is way below the international minimum standard of 98 days,” she added.
“The dedication, enthusiasm and insights of the bicam members are truly inspiring. The main purpose of the measure is to allow every mother to have more time to take care of her newly born child and herself,” said Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas, one of the co-authors of the bill.
