Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
Introduced by REP. CLAUDINE DIANA D. BAUTISTA-LIM 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 11210, or the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law, was approved on 
February 2019. This noble piece of legislation was passed to protect the maternal health and 
postnatal care of women employed in the government and the private sector. 
Maternal Health, as defined under Section 4 of the Reproductive Health Law, refers to the 
health of a woman of reproductive age, including, but not limited to, during pregnancy, 
childbirth, and the postpartum period. 
Maternal health does not end in childbirth. The postpartum period1 is equally important but 
often not prioritized. 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 
disorders2. 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 period3. 
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.  
The causes of postpartum depression are complex; when left unattended, it can lead to further 
depression. This may worsen and may even go to substance abuse, loss of employment, divorce 
and further social alienation, self-destructive behavior, or even suicide. Other known 
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 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 
3 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/ 
November 7, 2022
1:47 pm
H.B. NO. 5894


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 our 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 our 
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 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
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 of 2022." 
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 
H.B. NO. 5894


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. Funding Source. — The amount necessary to fund this additional maternity 
benefit shall be taken from revenues from excise taxes on sweetened beverages, alcohol, 
tobacco products, heated tobacco products, and vapor products and may be augmented under 
the General Appropriations Act. 
 
 
SEC. 7. 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. 8. 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. 9. 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. 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,