FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S.B. No. 
267 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, in its declaration of State Policies, provides: 
Section 12. The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and 
shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social 
institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the 
unborn from conception. 
Section 14. The State recognizes the role of women in nation- 
building, and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of 
women and men. 
Section 18. The State affirms labor as a primary social economic 
force. It shall protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare. 
Pursuant to these policies, laws have been enacted recognizing the special needs 
of women as workers and as mothers. Examples of these laws are Presidential Decree No. 
442 or the “Labor Code of the Philippines” regarding maternity leave benefits in Section 
133; Republic Act No. 8282 or the “Social Security Law of 1997” regarding maternity 
benefits for private employees in Sec. 14-A, Republic Act No. 8282 or the “Solo Parents’ 
Welfare Act”; and Republic Act No. 8187 or the “Paternity Leave Act of 1996,” which 
gives fathers time off from work to support their wives in their period of recovery and/or 
in the nursing of the newly born child. However, while these laws grant women maternity 
leaves and benefits, and other financial support after they have given birth, their failure to 
aid women while they are pregnant is glaringly obvious. 
This bill’ seeks to address the needs of pregnant women, especially those who are 
working, taking into consideration their delicate condition, as well as the need for them to 
’ This bill was originally filed by the Senator during the 13‘h Congress 


continue working not only to support their families but also to prevent the collapse of the 
industries they work in. This bill seeks to grant pregnant women benefits such as 
financial assistance, flexible work schedules, protection from discrimination, monthly 
medical leaves, and medical assistance during their pregnancies. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
First Regular Session 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO PREGNANT WOMEN 
AND THEIR FAMILIES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Pregnant Women’s 
Welfare Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote the 
family as the foundation of the nation, strengthen its solidarity and ensure its total 
development. Towards this end, it shall develop a comprehensive program of services for 
pregnant women and their families to be carried out by the Department of Labor and 
Employment (DOLE), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the 
Department of Health (DOH), and other related government and non-government 
agencies. 
SECTION 3. Dejnition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the term: 
(1) “Pregnant Woman” means a woman expecting to deliver a child or children, 
which condition shall continue until she has delivered such child or children or has 
suffered a miscarriage. 
(2) “Family” means the pregnant woman, her legitimate spouse with whom she i s  
cohabiting, and any children living with and dependent upon them who are unmarried, 
unemployed and not more than eighteen (18) years of age, or even over eighteen (18) 
years but are incapable of self-support because of mental and/or physical defect or 
disability. If the pregnant woman is not lawfully married or is a widow, “family” shall 


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refer to herself, her and her legitimate spouse's parents who are living with her, and any 
children living with and dependent upon her who are unmarried, unemployed and not 
more than eighteen (1 8) years of age, or even over eighteen (1 8) years but are incapable 
of self-support because of mental and/or physical defect or disability. 
(3) "Medical Leave" means the leave benefits granted to a pregnant woman to 
enable her to undergo a medical check-up related to her pregnancy, or to any ailment or 
affliction she may be suffering from as a result of her pregnancy. 
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(4) "Flexible Work Schedule" means the work schedule granted to a pregnant 
employee allowing her to vary her arrival and departure time without affecting the core 
work hours as defined by the employer. 
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SECTION 4. Criteriafor Support. - Any pregnant woman whose income in the 
place of domicile falls below the poverty threshold as set by the National Economic and 
Development Authority (NEDA) and subject to the assessment of the DSWD worker in 
the area shall be eligible for assistance: Provided, however, That any pregnant woman 
whose income is above the poverty threshold shall enjoy the benefits mentioned in 
Sections 5.6 and 7 of this Act. 
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SECTION 5. Flexible Work Schedule. - The employer shall provide for a flexible 
working schedule for pregnant women: Provided, that the same shall not affect individual 
and company productivity: Provided, jurther, that any employer may request exemption 
from the above requirements from the DOLE on certain meritorious grounds. 
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SECTION 6. Work Discrimination. - Without prejudice to the relevant provisions 
of the Labor Code and the implementing rules thereto, no employer shall discriminate 
against any pregnant woman employee with respect to terms and conditions of 
employment on account of her condition. 
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SECTION 7. Medical Leaves. - In addition to leave privileges under existing 
laws, medical leaves of one (1) day during each month of the woman's pregnancy shall be 
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granted to enable her to undergo a medical check-up related to her pregnancy, or to any 
ailment or affliction she may be suffering from as a result of her pregnancy: Provided, 
she has previously hrnished her employer a medical certificate confirming her pregnancy 
and/or the ailment or affliction she may be suffering from as a result of her pregnancy; 
Provided, jiirther, she has rendered service of at least one (I) year prior to her pregnancy: 
Provided, further, that the same shall not affect individual and company productivity: 
Provided, further, that each time she takes such medical leave, she notifies her employer 
at least five (5) days in advance. 
SECTION 8. Medical Assistance. - The DOH shall develop a comprehensive 
health care program for pregnant women. The program shall be implemented by the 
DOH, through their retained hospitals and medical centers, and the local government 
units (LGUs) through their provincial/districtity/municipal hospitals and rural health 
units. 
SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - An interagency committee 
headed by the DOLE, in coordination with the DSWD and DOH, is hereby established 
which shall formulate, within ninety (90) days upon the effectivity of this Act, the 
implementing rules and regulations in consultation with the LGUs, non-government 
organizations and people's organizations. 
SECTION 10. Penalties. - Any person, corporation, trust, firm, partnership, 
association or entity found violating this Act or the rules and regulations promulgated 
hereunder shall be punished by a fine not exceeding twenty-five thousand pesos 
(P25,OOO.OO) or imprisonment of not less than thirty (30) days nor more than six (6) 
months. 
If the violation is committed by a corporation, trust or firm, partnership, 
association or any other entity, the penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed on the 
entity's responsible officers, including, but not limited to, the president, vice-president, 
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chief executive officer, general manager, managing director or partner directly 
responsible. 
SECTION 1 1. Nondiminution Clause. - Nothing in this Act shall be construed to 
reduce any existing benefits of any form granted under existing laws, decrees, executive 
orders, or any contract, agreement or policy between employer and employee. 
SECTION 12. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions 
of this Act shall be included in the budget of concerned government agencies in the 
General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter. 
SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
administrative orders or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 14. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force 
and effect. 
SECTION 15. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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