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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. __________ 
Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative 
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN III 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XIII, Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution affirms that the “State shall 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.” 
This measure seeks to amend Section 11 of Republic Act No. 11210 to grant a 
maternity benefit to female workers in the informal economy that would promote 
social equity and economic productivity. It shall cover female workers who are neither 
voluntary nor regular members of the Social Security Service (SSS). They shall receive 
a one-time direct maternity cash benefit per delivery equivalent to the prevailing 
minimum wage rate in the region they are based multiplied by 22 days. 
There is an urgent need to establish a non-contributory maternity cash transfer to 
female workers belonging to the informal sector. This is to ensure that they are given 
commensurate support by the government. While Republic Act No. 11210, otherwise 
known as the “105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law” has provided the salient 
provisions in championing the maternal health of workers, the law has been silent on 
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granting the adequate maternal support needed by those belonging to the informal 
economy or non-members of the SSS.  
As stated in Article 6, Section 6 of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Maternity 
Protection Convention No. 183, a woman shall be entitled to adequate benefits out of 
social assistance funds if she does not meet the conditions to qualify for cash benefits 
under national laws and regulations.1 This proposed measure, therefore, seeks to 
address the lack of adequate support for women in the informal economy and give 
due importance to their maternal protection and their unborn children. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN III 
Representative 
Magdalo Para Sa Pilipino Party-List 
1 ILO. C183 – Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183). Information retrieved from 
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P12100_ILO_CODE:C183 


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. __________ 
Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative 
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN III 
AN ACT 
GRANTING A MATERNITY BENEFIT TO WOMEN WORKERS IN THE 
INFORMAL ECONOMY, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
11210, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title.– This Act shall be known as the “Maternity Benefit for Women 
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in the Informal Economy Act”. 
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy.– It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
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protect the rights and welfare of women workers in the informal economy, ensure 
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optimal maternal health consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals, and 
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encourage and support the practice of breastfeeding in furtherance of its obligation to 
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ensure the survival and development of Filipino children. 
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Sec. 3. Maternity Benefit for Women Workers in the Informal Economy.– 
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Section 11 of Republic Act No. 11210 is hereby amended with a new Section 11, 
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which read as follows: 
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X x x 
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SEC. 11. MATERNITY BENEFITS FOR FEMALE WORKERS WHO ARE NON-
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MEMBER OF THE SSS. – FEMALE WORKERS WHO ARE NEITHER VOLUNTARY 
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NOR REGULAR MEMBERS OF THE SSS [SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE 
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PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION (PHILHEALTH) CIRCULAR 
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NO. 022-2014 OR THE “SOCIAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE AND 
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BENEFITS FOR WOMEN ABOUT TO GIVE BIRTH”] SHALL RECEIVE, THROUGH 
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THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD), A ONE-
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TIME DIRECT MATERNITY CASH BENEFIT PER DELIVERY EQUIVALENT TO THE 
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PREVAILING MINIMUM WAGE RATE IN HER REGION OF RESIDENCE 
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MULTIPLIED BY TWENTY-TWO (22) DAYS. 
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x x X 
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Sec. 4. Appropriations.– The amount needed for the initial implementation of 
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the maternity benefit shall be taken from the revenues from excise taxes on 
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sweetened beverages, alcohol, tobacco products, heated tobacco products, and vapor 
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products, and may be augmented under the General Appropriations Act. 
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Sec. 5. Separability Clause.– If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall 
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remain in force and effect. 
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Sec. 6. Repealing Clause.– Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this 
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Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.  
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Sec. 7. Effectivity.– This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
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complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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