Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6581 —

Introduced by! Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The love of Filipinos for family is beyond compare. We all know that Filipinos
have very close family ties and love for family is the core of every Filipino. In
celebrations and in sadness, the love and concern of a Filipino to a family member is
evident. We treasure, love and care our families as it is the one the make us whole.

Death in a Filipino family is truly a difficult time for the family members.
Grieving on the loss of a family member takes a toll on its members and we all
sympathize and feel the anguish of the family.

Filipino culture and traditions likewise have different ways of mourning the
loss of a family member that were handed down by our ancestors. Some celebrate
the life the dead member had and some honor the dead by holding wakes that
usually lasts several days.

In view thereof, and as a Filipino who can feel the anguish of the grief
stricken family, the grant of a ten (10) day bereavement leave is but the least we
can do to help the family recover from the loss of a family member.

Therefore, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ee


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6581

tive MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS - AGABAS

Introduced by Representa

AN ACT
GRANTING TEN (10) DAYS OF BEREAVEMENT LEAVE WITH PAY TO ALL
EMPLOYEES IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title.- This Act shall be known as the "BEREAVEMENT LEAVE OF
2017."

SECTION 2. Declaration of State Policy. — The State affirms that the Filipino
family is the foundation of the nation and recognizes that the death of an immediate
member bears a significant emotional and psychological burden upon the family
members left behind. A bereavement leave is hereby institutionalized to support
employees in the public and private sectors who have recently lost relatives
belonging to their immediate family.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. —

a. Bereavement Leave refers to a leave taken by an employee to grieve the
death or attend or to make arrangements for the funeral of an immediate
family member.

b. Immediate family member refer to an employee's spouse, parent or child,
brother or sister and relatives within the third degree of consanguinity or
affinity.


SECTION 4. Bereavement Leave for Immediate Family Members.-
Employees in the private and public sectors shall be entitled to a bereavement
leave of ten (10) days with full following the death of an employee's immediately
family member.

SECTION 5. Non diminution of Benefits. — Nothing in this Act shall be
construed to reduce existing benefits granted under existing laws, decrees,
executive orders, or any contract, agreement or policy between the employer and
the employee.

SECTION 6. Security of Tenure. — Employees in the public and private sectors
who avail of bereavement leave under this Act shall be assured of security of
tenure. Availment of the leave shall not be used as reason for misconduct,
demotion, or termination in employment, or for any form of unsatisfactory
performance.

SECTION 7. Penalties. — Any person, corporation, trust, fir, partnership,
association, or entity found violating this Act or the rule and regulations
promulgated thereunder shall ne punished by a fine not exceeding Twenty
thousand pesos (Php 20,000.00) or imprisonment of fifteen (15) days to one (1)
month or both.

If the violation is committed by a corporation, trust, 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, Chief Executive Officer, General Manager, Managing Director or
partner directly responsible therefor.

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- The Department of
Labor and Employment for the private sector and the Civil Service Commission
for the public sector, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations of this Act
within thirty (30) days of its effectivity.


SECTION 9. Separability Clause. — If any provision, section or part of
this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not
affect, invalidate or impair any other provisions, sections or parts hereof.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. -— All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,