Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2881

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
INCREASING MATERNITY LEAVE BENEFITS FROM SIXTY (60) DAYS OR TWO
MONTHS TO ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (120) DAYS OR FOUR MONTHS, WITH AN
ADDITIONAL AND OPTIONAL SIXTY DAYS (60) OR TWO MONTHS, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE, P.D. 442, AS AMENDED BY R.A. 7322

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The vital role of women in society and their contribution to the national economy
has always been espoused and recognized in our country. No less than our
Constitution, under Art. Il, Sec. 14, states that “The State shall recognize the role of
women in nation-building and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of
men and women.” Similarly in Art. XiIl of the same section, it provides that ‘The State
shalll 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.”

In a recent report by UNICEF, it revealed that the Philippines’ Mortality Rate, in
particular, its under-five mortality rate, ranked 86" out of 190 countries. Such ranking
meant that thirty two (32) Filipino children (per 1,000 live births) die before the age of
five. Said report also cited several recommendations to reduce our country's mortality
rate, one of which is the access to exclusive breastfeeding for a long period of time
Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes breastfeeding as an
effective way of providing young infants with the necessary nutrients they need for
healthy growth and development.


These facts only emphasize the importance of maternity as a vital social function
played by women and the need to protect their rights, especially those who are
employed, and that of their infants to proper health care. This bill seeks to do that by
increasing the maternity leave of working women from sixty (60) days or eight (8) weeks
to one hundred twenty (120) days or sixteen (16) weeks with an additional and optional
sixty (60) days or eight (8) weeks to allow mothers to breastfeed their child for at least
six (6) months which is in accordance with UNICEF and WHO standards. This gives
mother and child quality time for bonding while at the same time, ensures the child's
proper growth and development.

We therefore urge our colleagues to ensure the immediate passage of this bill
into law.

DIOSDADO AGAL ARROYO. GLORIA, Eero ARROYO.
Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2881

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
INCREASING MATERNITY LEAVE BENEFITS FROM SIXTY (60) DAYS OR TWO
MONTHS TO ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (120) DAYS OR FOUR MONTHS, WITH AN
ADDITIONAL AND OPTIONAL SIXTY DAYS (60) OR TWO MONTHS, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE, P.D, 442, AS AMENDED BY R.A. 7322

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

SECTION 1. Article 133 of Presidential Decree (P.D.) 442, as amended by R.A.
7322, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"ART. 133. Maternity Leave Benefits.

(a) "Every employer shall grant to any pregnant [woman] FEMALE employee,
who has rendered an aggregate service of at least six (6) months for the last twelve (12)
months, maternity leave of at least two (2) weeks prior to the expected date of delivery
and another [four (4)] FOURTEEN (14) weeks after normal [or abortion] OR
CAESARIAN DELIVERY, with full pay based on her regular or average weekly wages.
AN ADDITIONAL AND OPTIONAL MATERNITY LEAVE OF EIGHT (8) WEEKS
SHALL BE GRANTED ANY CONCERNED PREGNANT FEMALE EMPLOYEE WITH
EITHER FULL PAY, HALF PAY OR NO PAY. IN CASE THE CONCERNED
PREGNANT FEMALE EMPLOYEE OPTS TO TAKE THE ADDITIONAL AND
OPTIONAL MATERNITY LEAVE, SHE IS ASSURED OF SECURITY OF TENURE
AND SUCH SHALL NOT BE USED AS BASIS FOR TERMINATION FROM
EMPLOYMENT."


SECTION 2. All laws, decrees, order, rules and regulations, and other issuances
or parts thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in
the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,