TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
)
)
)
2'j HU 4 P2 39
SENATE
Senate Bill No. ^
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
GRANTING POST-MATERNITY FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENT 
AND EXPANDING CARERS' LEAVE, AMENDING FOR THIS 
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. H210 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE "THE 105-DAY EXPANDED MATERNITY LEAVE LAW," 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Constitution mandates the State to afford full protection to labor (Art. 
XIII, Sec. 3), promote the welfare of working women, taking into account their 
maternal functions (Art. XIII, Sec. 14), and strengthen the solidarity of the family (Art. 
II, Sec. 12). These principles require that laws continuously evolve to meet the needs 
of working mothers and families.
A 2024 survey revealed that 6 in 10 working mothers in Southeast Asia struggle 
to balance work and family commitments. Notably, 68% believe remote and flexible 
work arrangements would improve their chances of achieving work-life balance and 
career growth, while 65% shoulder significant household responsibilities. These 
findings highlight the urgent need for institutional support for post-maternity 
reintegration and shared caregiving.1
This bill seeks to amend Republic Act No. 11210, or the 105-Day Expanded 
Maternity Leave Law, by increasing the number of maternity leave credits that may
Milieu Insight. 6 in 10 Working Mothers in Southeast Asia Struggie to Find Time for Both Work and Famiiy 
Commitments. Published on 8 May 2024. Available at https://www.mili.eu/ph/insights/new-survey-findings- 
from-milieu-insight-reveal-that-6-in-lO-working-mothers-in-southeast-asia-struggle-to-find-time-for-both- 
work-and-family-commitments (Accessed on 3 July 2025).
1


be allocated to the child's father or an alternate caregiver from seven (7) days to 10 
days. This allocation shall be separate from the paternity leave provided under 
Republic Act No. 8187, or the Paternity Leave Act, and may be taken flexibly within 
ninety (90) days of childbirth or miscarriage.
The bill also introduces a Post-Maternity Flexible Work Arrangement, giving 
female workers the option to return to work under alternative arrangements for up to 
sixty (60) calendar days. This supports a smooth transition back to work without 
sacrificing health, family duties, or job security.
In promoting shared caregiving and family-friendly workplaces, this measure 
fulfills constitutional mandates while promoting fair labor practice, gender equality, 
workplace inclusivity, and the well-being of Filipino families.
For these reasons, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought
JOEl/VILLANUEVA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
2'::) JUL 14 ?2 39
SENATE
Senate Bill No.
535
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
GRANTING POST-MATERNITY FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENT 
AND EXPANDING CARERS' LEAVE, AMENDING FOR THIS 
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11210 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE "THE 105-DAY EXPANDED MATERNITY LEAVE LAW," 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 11210, or the "105-Day Expanded
2 
Maternity Leave Law," is hereby amended as follows:
3 
"Section 6. - Maternity Leave Benefits. — Any female worker
4 
entitled to maternity leave benefits as provided for herein may, at her
5 
option, allocate up to [seven (7)] TEN (10) days of said benefits to the
6 
child's father, whether or not the same is married to the female worker,
7 
[v-Provided, That in the death, absence, of-tncapacity of the for-mer>-tbe
8 
benefit may be allocated] OR to an alternate caregiver who may be a
9 
relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity or the current partner
10 
of the female worker sharing the same household, upon the election of
11 
the mother taking into account the best interests of the child: Provided,
12 
[furthef\, That written notice thereof is provided to the employers of the
1


1 
female worker and alternate caregiver: Provided, furtheiim&fe], That this
2 
benefit is over and above that which is provided under Republic Act No.
3 
8187, or the "Paternity Leave Act of 1996" AND SHALL NOT BE
4 
CHARGEABLE AGAINST ANY OTHER LEAVE BENEFITS OF EITHER
5 
THE FEMALE WORKER OR THE RECIPIENT: Provided, finaiiy, That in
6 
the event the beneficiary female worker dies or is permanently
7 
incapacitated, the balance of her maternity leave benefits shall accrue to
8 
the father of the child or to a qualified caregiver as provided above.
9 
THE TEN (10) DAYS OF ALLOCATED LEAVE MAY BE TAKEN
10 
CONSECUTIVELY OR INTERMITTENTLY WITHIN NINETY (90)
11 
DAYS FROM CHILDBIRTH OR MISCARRIAGE, SUBJECT TO THE
12 
MUTUAL AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES AND THE EMPLOYER.
13 
EMPLOYERS SHALL RESPECT SUCH ALLOCATION AND MAY
14 
REQUIRE REASONABLE NOTICE AND DOCUMENTATION, BUT
15 
SHALL NOT DENY OR PENALIZE ITS USE WITHOUT JUSTIFIABLE
16 
CAUSE."
17 
SEC. 2. A new section is hereby inserted after Section 6, to read as follows:
18 
"SECTION 6-A. POST-MATERNITY FLEXIBLE WORK
19 
ARRANGEMENT. - UPON EXPIRATION OF MATERNITY LEAVE, A
20 
FEMALE WORKER SHALL HAVE THE OPTION TO RETURN TO
21 
WORK ON A FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENT FOR A PERIOD NOT
22 
EXCEEDING SIXTY (60) CALENDAR DAYS.
23 
THIS FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENT MAY INCLUDE, BUT
24 
SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO, REMOTE WORK, REDUCED WORK
25 
HOURS, FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING, OR COMPRESSED
26 
WORKWEEKS: PROVIDED, THAT THESE ARRANGEMENTS SHALL
27 
NOT RESULT IN THE DIMINUTION OF EXISTING BENEFITS."
28 
SEC. 14. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is
29 
declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected
30 
thereby shall remain in force and effect.


1 
SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
2 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the
3 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
4 
SEC. 16. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
5 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
6 
circulation.
Approved,