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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 9974 
Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN 
AN ACT 
GRANTING BEREAVEMENT LEAVE WITH FULL PAY TO ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE 
PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS IN THE EVENT OF THE DEATH OF AN 
IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The proposed Bereavement Leave Act seeks to provide all employees, in 
both the public and private sectors, to receive 3 days of paid leave in the event 
of the death of an immediate family member or a loved one. This proposed 
measure recognizes the profound impact of losing a loved one and the critical 
need for time to mourn, attend to final arrangements, and cope with the 
emotional and physical burden of such a loss. 
The 1987 Philippine Constitution states that “The State recognizes the 
Filipino family as the foundation of the nation. Accordingly, it shall strengthen its 
solidarity and actively promote its total development.”1 This Bill acknowledges 
this importance and the devastating impact a family member's death can have 
on individual well-being, including the ability to function effectively at work. Paid 
bereavement leave allows employees to prioritize their emotional and physical 
health without facing financial pressure during a vulnerable time. It allows them 
to participate in funeral rituals and cultural traditions, fostering healing and 
offering support to grieving families. 
Beyond individual needs, the proposed measure presents tangible 
benefits for employers. Studies suggest that paid bereavement leave can 
1 1987 Philippine Constitution, Art. XV, Section 1. 
February 21, 2024
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improve employee morale, reduce absenteeism, and even enhance long-term 
productivity. Demonstrating compassion and understanding during challenging 
times fosters a positive work environment and strengthens employee loyalty. 
Moreover, the inclusion of security of tenure provisions ensures that availing this 
leave does not lead to discriminatory practices or job loss. 
Investing in the well-being of individuals during moments of profound loss 
creates a ripple effect, strengthening families and creating a more 
compassionate and responsible work environment. The proposed Bereavement 
Leave Act represents a vital step towards recognizing the shared human 
experience of grief and supporting Filipino families during their most challenging 
moments. 
In light of the preceding, this bill’s approval is fervently sought. 
LORDAN G. SUAN 
Cagayan de Oro City – 1st District 


1 
Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 9974 
Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN 
AN ACT 
GRANTING BEREAVEMENT LEAVE WITH FULL PAY TO ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE 
PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS IN THE EVENT OF THE DEATH OF AN 
IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 This Act shall be 
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known as the “Bereavement Leave Act.” 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State affirms that the Filipino family 
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is the foundation of the nation and recognizes that the death of an immediate 
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family member bears a significant physical, emotional and psychological burden 
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upon a family member. A bereavement leave benefit system is hereby 
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institutionalized to support employees in the public and private sectors who 
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have recently lost an immediate family member, and give their family time to 
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mourn together and share the emotional and material burden In the interment 
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of the departed. 
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SECTION 3. Bereavement Leave. — Under this Act, employees in the private 
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and public sectors shall be entitled to a bereavement leave of three (3) days with 
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full pay following the death of an employee's Immediate family member in order 
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to grieve, attend to or make arrangements for the funeral. 
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For the purpose of this Act, an immediate family member refers to the 
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employee's spouse, parent or child, brother or sister. 
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SECTION 4. Non-diminution of Benefits. — Nothing in this Act shall be 
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construed to reduce existing benefits granted under existing laws, decrees, 
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executive orders, or any contract, agreement, or policy between the employer 
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and employee. 
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SECTION 5. 4. Security of Tenure. — Employees In the public and private 
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sectors who avail of the bereavement leave provided under this Act shall be 
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assured of security of tenure. Availment of the leave shall not be used as reason 
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for misconduct, demotion, or termination In employment, or for any form of 
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unsatisfactory performance. 
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SECTION 6. Penalties. — Any person, corporation, trust, firm, partnership, 
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association, or entity found violating this act or the rules and regulations 
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promulgated thereunder shall be punished by a fine not exceeding Twenty-
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thousand pesos (₱20,000) or imprisonment of fifteen (15) days to one (1) 
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month. 
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If the violation is committed by a corporation, trust or firm, partnership, 
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association or any other entity, the penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed  
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on the entity's responsible officers, including but not limited to, the president, 
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vice president, chief executive officer general manager, managing director or 
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partner directly responsible therefor. 
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SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of 
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Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), for the 
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private sector and public sector respectively, shall issue the necessary rules and 
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regulations of this act within thirty (30) days of its effectivity. 
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SECTION 8. Separability Clause. — Any portion or provisions of this Act that 
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may be declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying 
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other portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or 
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provisions can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety. 
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SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
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orders, memoranda, circulars, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are 
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inconsistent with the Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
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after its publication in the Official Gazette, in a newspaper of general circulation, 
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or on a website provided for by law.
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Approved,