TWEENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
LJ
-9 °5:10
S. No.
SENATE
324
Introduced by SENATOR CAMILLE VILLAR
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREGNANT 
WOMEN AND POSTNATAL MOTHERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Philippine Constitution explicitly recognizes the vital role of women 
in nation-building, and provides for protections to safeguard working women.1 Such 
protection is manifested through ensuring safe and healthful working conditions, 
considering women's maternal functions, and proving for facilities and opportunities 
that enhance their welfare and the realization of their full potential in the service of 
the nation.2
While various laws have introduced positive changes such as flexible work 
options, these remain largely discretionary and inaccessible to many women - 
particularly women during their pregnancy and early motherhood. This major gap in 
policy leaves expectant mothers and postpartum mothers vulnerable to a plethora of 
physical, emotional, and economic strains.
This measure seeks to institutionalize flexible work arrangements for pregnant 
women and for postpartum mothers within at least one year of childbirth. By 
supporting women through these critical life stages, not only will maternal health be 
promoted, but family well-being shall also be protected, and gender equity shall be 
upheld in the workforce.
Section 14, Article 11, 1987 Constitution 
Section 14, Article Xlll, 1987 Constitution


Hence, I humbly request the swift passage of this bill.
CAMILLE VILLAR


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
2b JiJL-9 ?5:10
SENATE
S. No.
324
Introduced by SENATOR CAMILLE VILLAR
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREGNANT 
WOMEN AND POSTNATAL MOTHERS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
ARTICLE I
2 
GENERAL PROVISIONS
3 
Section 1. Short Tide. - This Act shall be known as the "Pregnant Women
4 
Welfare Act of2025."
5 
Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act, the following terms
6 
shall mean;
7 
(a) "Pregnant Womad' means a woman expecting to deliver a child or
8 
children, which condition shall continue until she has delivered such child or children
9 
or has suffered a miscarriage.
10 
(b) "Flexible Work Arrangement" refers to alternative work arrangements or
11 
schedules other than the traditional or standard work hours, workdays or workweek.
12 
Flexible work arrangements allow the pregnant employee to vary her arrival and
13 
departure time without affecting the core work hours in a day or in the week,
14 
depending on the agreed upon arrangement between the employee and the
15 
employer.


1 
(c) " Work-from-home" refers to a work arrangement where the pregnant
2 
employee works at home or residence;
3 
Sec. 3. Flexible Work Arrangement. —The employer, public or private, shall
4 
provide for a flexible work arrangement or a work-from-home program for pregnant
5 
women. This benefit shall extend to postnatal mothers, at least one year from the
6 
date of childbirth. Such arrangement shall allow pregnant women to work remotely
7 
or take advantage of the applicable flexible work arrangement to enable them to
8 
undergo a medical check-up related to her pregnancy, or to any ailment or affliction
9 
she may suffer as a result of her pregnancy.
10 
The flexible work arrangement or work-from-home program to be adopted by
11 
employers under this Act shall be subject to the following parameters:
12 
a. The flexible work arrangement or work-from-home program shall be agreed
13 
upon by the qualified pregnant employee and postnatal mother;
14 
b. The working arrangement agreed upon by the parties shall not affect
15 
individual and company productivity;
16 
c. The terms and conditions for the flexible working arrangement shall not be
17 
less than the minimum labor standards set by law, and shall include
18 
compensable work hours, minimum number of work hours, overtime, rest
19 
days, and entitlement to leave benefits; and
20 
d. On meritorious grounds, any employer may request exemption from
21 
complying with the above requirements from the Department of Labor and
22 
Employment (DOLE).
23 
Sec. 4. Work Discrimination. - Without prejudice to the relevant provisions of
24 
the Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended, and its implementing rules and
25 
regulations, no employer shall discriminate against any pregnant employee with
26 
respect to the terms and conditions of employment on account of her status.
27


1 
Sec. 5. Non-Diminution of Benefits. - Nothing in this Act shall be construed as
2 
to diminish existing employment benefits currently enjoyed by pregnant women or
3 
postnatal mothers whether or not these are granted under collective bargaining
4 
agreements (CBA) or present laws, if the same are more beneficial to such
5 
employee.
6
7 
Sec. 6. Security of Tenure. - Those who avail of the benefits of this Act,
8 
whether in the government service or private sector, shall be assured of security of
9 
tenure. As such, the exercise of this option shall not be used as basis for demotion in
10 
employment or termination.
11 
Sec. 7. Penaities. - Any person, corporation, trust, firm, partnership, association
12 
or entity found violating this Act or the rules and regulations promulgated
13 
thereunder shall be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos
14 
(PhP20,000) nor more than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP200,000), or
15 
imprisonment of not less than thirty (30) days nor more than six (6) months.
16 
If the violation is committed by a corporation, trust or firm, partnership,
17 
association or any other entity, the penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed on the
18 
entity's responsible officers, including, but not limited to, the president, vice-
19 
president, chief executive officer, general manager, managing director or partner
20 
directly responsible therefor.
21 
Failure on the part of any person, partnership, corporation, association, or
22 
private enterprise to comply with the provisions of this Act shall be a ground for non-
23 
renewal of business permits.
24 
Sec. 8. Impiementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Labor and
25 
Employment, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, the Secretary of Health
26 
and other relevant agencies shall issue such rules and regulations necessary for the
27 
proper implementation of this Act within sixty (60) days from its effectivity.
28 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held unconstitutional
29 
or invalid, all other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid.


1 
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
2 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent or contrary to
3 
the provision of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
4 
Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
5 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
6 
circulation in the Philippines.
7 
Approved,