FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
.SENATE 
S.B. No. 3174 
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Introduced by SENATOR MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
One of the most powerful manifestations on working women can be found in the 
supreme law. Article XIII, Sec, 14 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution declared, "The State 
shall protect working women by providing safe and healthful working conditions, taking into 
account their maternal functions, and such facilities and opportunities that will enhance their 
welfare and enable them to realize their full potential in the service of the nation." 
Life nowadays are hard, the traditional family where the father is the only one 
working is gone. Women, married or not, are now a vital part of our work force. Sometimes, 
even when already pregnant, women still go to work and expend energy just to earn and 
save for their impending delivery. Work brings stress and employed pregnant women are 
exposed to unwanted stress that might affect their unborn child. Pregnant women have a 
hard time in striking a balance between working and getting the proper rest. As such, this 
representation finds it proper that the State allow pregnant women to work and earn but limit 
the time for work to insure that employed pregnant women get the proper rest. 
A pregnant woman ideally needs more rest than when she is not pregnant. Rest in 
women is important to avoid certain complications. However, the need to earn for a living is 
also paramount to employed pregnant women. The State should find a balance in those 
differing considerations. The State should help employers recognize that having healthy 
mothers and infants will be better not only for bUSiness but the entire nation as well. 
Allowing pregnant women workers to work in a six-hour a day schedule and receive 
the same salary earned from a eight-hour work schedule is the best way to insure that 
employed pregnant women gets to earn a living and get the proper rest at the same time. 
Approval of the bill is earnestly sought. 
#if 
MANNY VI~LAR 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 317 " 
Introduced by SENATOR MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
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PRESCRIBING A SIX-HOUR WORKING SCHEDULE FOR EMPLOYED PREGNANT 
WOMEN AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Pregnant Women Workers Act of 
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2012". 
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Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State hereby declares that proper health of 
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pregnant women is vital to maintaining a low maternal and infant mortality rate and the 
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State shall strive to uphold the mandate of respecting the life of the mother and the unborn. 
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Section 3. Six-Hour a Day Work Schedule. - All employers shall only require 
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pregnant women to render six-hours of work a day prior to the latter's actual availment of 
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maternity leave benefits prescribed under existing laws. 
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Section 4. Eight-Hour Pay. -
All pregnant women required to work under the 
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preceding section shall be entitled to be paid by their respective employers the regular pay 
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covering an eight-hour work schedule. 
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Section 5. Application in Public and Private Employment. Benefits granted to 
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pregnant women under this Act shall be applicable to all those employed in both the public 
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and private sector. 
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Section 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Labor and 
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Employment and the Civil Service Commission, in consultation with at least two (2) 
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recognized non-government organizations (NGOs) on women and human resources 
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development, shall formulate and issue rules and regulations implementing this Act within 
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thirty (30) days upon its effectivity. 
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Section 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or 
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any part thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
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Section 8. Effectivity. -
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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