SuSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
RECEIVED
DATE: _ 2.0 JUN 2n15
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE:
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session
RECISTRATION UNIT

BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Congressman Alfredo D. Vargas III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘To ensure the development of a nation, the State must strengthen the values
and morale of the most basic unit of the society: the Filipino family.

Republic Act No. 8187, otherwise known as the “Paternity Leave Act of
1996” was enacted by Congress in recognition of the husband's role in providing
care for his wife before, during, and after the birth of their child. However, the law is
limited because the granting of paternity leave is only up to the first four deliveries

of the wife,

Studies show that fathers who take paternity leave are more likely to take an
active role in child-care tasks. Furthermore, the early father-child interaction has
longer-term benefits for a child’s learning abilities. To ensure that every Filipino
family reaps all these benefits, the Paternity Leave Act needs to be amended
immediately.

This bill seeks to expand the coverage of the Paternity Leave Act to allow the
husband to avail of said benefit in all the deliveries of his wife.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is urged.

(LFREDO D. VARGAS III


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

718

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced By Congressman Alfredo D. Vargas III

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8187, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE PATERNITY
LEAVE ACT OF 1996", AMENDING ITS TITLE AND SECTION 2 THEREFORE

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

SECTION 1. The title of Republic Act. No, 8187, otherwise known as “The
Paternity Leave Act of 1996", is hereby amended to read as follows:

“REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8187"

AN ACT GRANTING PATERNITY LEAVE OF SEVEN (7) DAYS
WITH FULL PAY TO ALL MARRIED MALE EMPLOYEES IN THE
PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS FOR THE [FIRST FOUR (4)
DELIVERIES]DELIVERY OF THE LEGITIMATE SPOUSE WITH WHOM
HE IS COHABITING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

SECTION 2. Section 2 of the same law is hereby further amended to read as
follows:

“Section 2. Notwithstanding any law, rules and regulations to
the contrary, every married male employee in the private and
public sectors shall be entitled to a paternity leave of seven (7)
days with full pay for the [first four (4) deliveries] DELIVERY of
the legitimate spouse with whom he is cohabiting, The male
employee applying for paternity leave shall notify his employer of the
pregnancy of his legitimate spouse and the expected date of such
delivery”.

For purposes, of this Act, delivery shall include childbirth or any
miscarriage.


SECTION 3. Separability Clause. - If for any reason any section or provision of
this Act is declared unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not effected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. -Any laws, decrees, or rules and regulations
which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby
amended or repealed.

SECTION 5. Effectivity- This Act shall take effect upon its publication in at
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,