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Republic of the Philippines 9

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BillNo, 8328

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introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
INCREASING MATERNITY LEAVE BENEFITS FROM SIXTY (60) DAYS OR
TWO MONTHS TO ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (120) DAYS OR FOUR
MONTHS, WITH AN ADDITIONAL AND OPTIONAL SIXTY DAYS (60} OR
TWO MONTHS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE, P.D. 442, AS AMENDED
BY R.A. 7322

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The vital role of women in society and their contribution to the national
economy has always been espoused and recognized in our country. No less
than our Constitution, under Art. Il, Sec. 14, states that “The State shall
recognize the role of women in nation-building and shall ensure the fundamental
equality before the jaw of men and women.” Similarly in Art. XII of the same
section, it provides that “The State shail 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.”

In a recent report by UNICEF, it revealed that the Philippines’ Mortality
Rate, in particular, its under-five mortality rate, ranked 86" out of 190 countries.
Such ranking meant that thirty two (32) Filipino children (per 1,000 live births) die
before the age of five. Said report also cited several recommendations to reduce
our country's mortality rate, one of which is the access to exclusive breastfeeding
for a long period of time. Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO)


recognizes breastfeeding as an effective way of providing young infants with the
necessary nutrients they need for healthy growth and development

These facts only emphasize the importance of maternity as a vital social
function played by women and the need to protect their rights, especially those
who are employed, and that of their infants to proper health care. This bill seeks
to do that by increasing the maternity leave of working women from sixty (60)
days or eight (8) weeks to one hundred twenty (120) days or sixteen (16) weeks
with an additional and optional sixty (60) days or eight (8) weeks to allow mothers
to breastfeed their child for at least six (6) months which is in accordance with
UNICEF and WHO standards. This gives mother and child quality time for
bonding while at the same time, ensures the child's proper growth and
development.

We therefore urge our colleagues to ensure the immediate passage of this
bill into law

CARAGAL ARROYO GLORI fecvoren ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6128

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
INCREASING MATERNITY LEAVE BENEFITS FROM SIXTY (60) DAYS OR
TWO MONTHS TO ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (120) DAYS OR FOUR
MONTHS, WITH AN ADDITIONAL AND OPTIONAL SIXTY DAYS (60) OR
TWO MONTHS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE, P.D. 442, AS AMENDED
BY R.A. 7322

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

SECTION 1, Article 133 of Presidential Decree (P.D.) 442, as amended by
R.A. 7322, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"ART. 133. Matemity Leave Benefits.

(a) "Every employer shall grant to any pregnant [woman] FEMALE
employee, who has rendered an aggregate service of at least six (6) months for
the last twelve (12) months, maternity leave of at least two (2) weeks prior to the
expected date of delivery and another [four (4)] FOURTEEN (14) weeks after
normal [or abortion) OR CAESARIAN DELIVERY, with full pay based on her
regular or average weekly wages. AN ADDITIONAL AND OPTIONAL
MATERNITY LEAVE OF EIGHT (8) WEEKS SHALL BE GRANTED ANY
CONCERNED PREGNANT FEMALE EMPLOYEE WITH EITHER FULL PAY,
HALF PAY OR NO PAY. IN CASE THE CONCERNED PREGNANT FEMALE
EMPLOYEE OPTS TO TAKE THE ADDITIONAL AND OPTIONAL MATERNITY


LEAVE, SHE IS ASSURED OF SECURITY OF TENURE AND SUCH SHALL
NOT BE USED AS BASIS FOR TERMINATION FROM EMPLOYMENT."

SECTION 2. Ali laws, decrees, order, rules and regulations, and other
issuances or parts thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
amended accordingly.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
Publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,