Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Eighteenth Congress 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___________ 
Introduced by Representative Maria Lourdes O. Acosta-Alba 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Numerous studies have shown that enactment of laws and creation of national policies 
and programs to support breastfeeding, like the increased maternity benefits for working 
women, leads to marked improvements in social, health and economic development outcomes. 
While the Expanded Maternity Law or RA 11210 aims to increase the number of 
breastfeeding mothers, a considerable number of the labor force, were unable to enjoy the 
benefits and assistance of the said Act. These are the women working the informal economy 
who are non-members of the Social Security System. 
Peer-reviewed research has quantified the economic toll that inadequate breastfeeding 
takes on individuals, communities and countries, and has found that the current cost to the 
Philippine health care system due to inadequate breastfeeding is around US$16.3 million per 
year, and future cognitive losses of US$2.3 billion a year owing to reduced development and 
earning potential can be expected. The costs of infant formula also significantly reduce a 
family’s disposable income. Providing a maternity benefit to women workers in the informal 
economy equivalent to around US$174 per mother is paltry compared to the potential economic 
benefits of improving breastfeeding rates at population level. In fact, according to the same 
study, the estimated cost of a 14-week maternity leave is only 5% of the cost of not 
breastfeeding 
in 
the 
Philippines 
(source: 
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mcn.13098) 
Therefore, a maternity benefit for women workers in the informal economy is not just 
a social justice measure and an important way to address the multiple burdens and increased 
vulnerabilities of women who are also mothers and informal workers, it also leads to 
demonstrable and quantifiable health outcomes at the population level. Without cash benefits 
to replace income, many low-income informal economy workers cannot take maternity leave. 
For these reasons, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
MARIA LOURDES O. ACOSTA-ALBA 
  First District, Bukidnon 
November 8, 2021
4:13 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Sessions 
HOUSE BILL NO. __________ 
Introduced by Representative Maria Lourdes O. Acosta-Alba 
AN ACT  
GRANTING 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 in the 
Informal Economy Act of 2021.” 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy.” – It is the declared policy of the State to protect the rights 
and welfare of women workers in the informal economy, to ensure optimal maternal health 
consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to encourage and support the 
practice of breastfeeding in furtherance of its obligation to ensure the survival and development 
of Filipino children. 
Section 3. Maternity Benefit for Women Workers in the Informal Economy.  – Section 11 of 
Republic Act No. 11210 is hereby deleted and replaced with a new Section 11, which will read 
as follows: 
SECTION 11. MATERNITY BENEFITS FOR FEMALE WORKERS WHO ARE NON-
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM (SSS) - FEMALE WORKERS WHO 
ARE NEITHER VOLUNTARY NOR REGULAR MEMBERS OF THE SSS, SHALL 
RECEIVE,  THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND 
DEVELOPMENT (DSWD), A ONE-TIME DIRECT MATERNITY CASH BENEFIT 
PER DELIVERY EQUIVALENT TO THE PREVAILING MINIMUM WAGE RATE 
IN HER REGION OF RESIDENCE MULTIPLIED BY THIRTY (30)  DAYS. 
Section 4. Funding Source. - The amounts necessary to fund this 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. 
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Section 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity 
of this Act, the DOLE Secretary or his/her representative as Chairperson, the authorized 
representatives of DSWD, PCW and DOH, together with NGOs and women’s organizations in 
the informal sector shall jointly promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act. At least two (2) members of the drafting committee, to be selected 
by the DOLE Secretary, shall come from NGOs and POs. 
 
Section 6. Mandatory Review.  – Congress shall undertake a mandatory review of this Act after 
its first three years of implementations and as often as it may deem necessary, with the primary 
objective of providing a more responsive program and structure for the maternity protection 
and benefits of those in the informal economy. 
 
Section 5. Separability Clause. - Should any of the provision of this Act be declared 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and operational. 
 
Section 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, rules and regulations and 
parts thereof which ae inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
accordingly. 
 
Section 7. Effectivity. - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines. 
 
Approved,