TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. 1853
Introduced by REP. CLAUDINE DIANA D. BAUTISTA-LIM 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 11210, or the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law is a 
noble piece of legislation that was passed to protect maternal health and promote post-
natal care for women employed in the government and the private sector. 
Maternal health does not end in childbirth. As defined under Section 4 of the 
Reproductive Health Law, maternal health refers to the health of a woman of 
reproductive age, including, but not limited to, during pregnancy, childbirth, and 
the postpartum period. 
The postpartum period1 is equally important but often not prioritized.  During 
pregnancy, birth, and the immediate postpartum period, a woman goes through a 
range of physical, hormonal, and emotional changes. Mood swings, feelings of 
sadness, fear, confusion, and the inappropriateness of own feelings to idealized social 
expectations can occur in almost every woman during the postpartum period 2 .  
Scholarly works ascertain that depression is one of the most common mental health 
disorders and that more than 3.8% of the population suffers from depressive 
disorders3.  
This proposed legislation seeks to provide additional maternity leave for women 
undergoing postpartum depression. It grants a leave period of fifteen (15) days, in 
addition to maternity leave, upon validated diagnosis of a competent medical 
professional and healthcare facility. This may be availed with an option to extend for 
one (1) year or 365 days without pay.  
1 Postpartum depression (PPD) is a depressive disorder that can develop continuously from the time of 
pregnancy or occur after childbirth and lasts until a year after delivery. The main symptoms of PPD 
include inability to sleep, anxiety, loss of energy and/or interest in daily activities, appetite/weight 
changes, poor concentration, extreme concern and worry about the baby, guilt and/or hopelessness.  
2 O. Sacristan-Martin, M.A. Santed, J. Garcia-Campayo, et al.A mindfulness and compassion-based 
program applied to pregnant women and their partners to decrease depression symptoms during 
pregnancy and postpartum: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Available from: 
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31779683/ 
3 World Health Organization. The Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescent's 
Health 
(2016-2030). 
Available 
from: 
https://www.who.int/life-course/partners/global-
strategy/globalstrategyreport2016-2030-lowres.pdf 
July 14, 2025
1:35 pm


The causes of postpartum depression are complex; when left unattended, it can 
lead to further depression. This may worsen and may even result in substance abuse, 
loss of employment, divorce and further social alienation, self-destructive behavior, or 
even suicide. Other known sociological impacts include adverse effects on the infant's 
physical and psychological development, child abuse, neglect or death of the infant or 
other siblings, and the disruption of the family. 
While we can do statistical extrapolation based on reported cases, we must 
break the stigma and help women come forward and avail of this benefit that the 
government can extend to them. The complexity of postpartum depression should not 
hinder us from caring for mothers but rather provide all the support we can offer them. 
In view thereof, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
CLAUDINE DIANA D. BAUTISTA-LIM 
DUMPER PTDA Party-List 


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. 1853 
Introduced by REP. CLAUDINE DIANA D. BAUTISTA-LIM 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL MATERNITY LEAVE TO WOMEN WITH 
POSTPARTUM 
DEPRESSION, 
EXPANDING 
FOR 
THIS 
PURPOSE 
THE 
COVERAGE OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11210 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 "Additional 
Maternity Benefit for Mothers with Postpartum Depression Act." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to ensure 
optimal maternal healthcare and extend the same to the postpartum period while being 
consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals. Towards this end, the State shall 
encourage and support mental health derivatives that will eliminate the social stigma 
surrounding depression and mental illness and the myth of motherhood. This will 
provide an enabling environment for support needed in the new mother's inability to 
self-diagnose her condition, the new mother's shame or embarrassment over 
discussing her depression so near to the birth of her child, the lack of understanding 
in society and the medical community of the complexity of postpartum depression. 
SEC. 3. Maternity benefit for women with postpartum depression. — In 
addition to the benefits that may be availed under Republic Act No. 11210, otherwise 
known as the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law, all covered female workers in 
government and the private sector, including those in the informal economy, 
regardless of civil status or the legitimacy of her child, shall be granted additional 
fifteen (15) days in addition to maternity leave with full pay; Provided, That they may 
avail the same with an option to extend for one (1) year or 365 days without pay. This 
is to ensure that women will continue to uphold their maternal functions and the 
treatment requirements for postpartum depression, whether the child survives or not.  
SEC. 4. Non-Diminution of Benefits. – Nothing in this Act shall be construed 
to diminish existing maternity benefits currently enjoyed, whether these are granted 
under collective bargaining agreements (CBA) or present laws if the same are more 
beneficial to the female worker. Furthermore, any other working arrangement that the 
female worker shall agree to during the additional maternity leave period shall be 
allowed: Provided, That in case the woman qualifies as a solo parent under Republic 


Act No. 8972 or the "Solo Parents' Welfare Act," the availment of additional fifteen (15) 
days maternity leave with full pay shall not be diminished.  
 
SEC. 5. Penalties. –Whoever fails or refuses to comply with the provisions of 
this Act shall be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty thousand pesos 
(₱20,000.00) nor more than Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000.00), and 
imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day nor more than twelve (12) 
years or both. Furthermore, if the act or omission penalized by this Act shall be 
committed by an association, partnership, corporation, or any other institution, its 
managing head, directors, or partners shall be liable to the penalties provided in this 
Act for the offense. 
 
Failure on the part of any association, partnership, corporation, or private enterprise 
to comply with the provisions of this Act shall be a ground for non-renewal of business 
permits. 
 
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The CSC, the DOLE, and 
the SSS shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act within sixty (60) days from the effectivity thereof.  
 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and effect. 
 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders and rules, and 
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or amended accordingly. 
 
SEC. 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,