NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. No. 148
ircnate
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•22 JUL-7 P3:20
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INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
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
EXPLANATORY NOTE
One of the drivers of Republic Act No. 11210 or the Expanded Maternity Leave Law 
is to increase the prevalence of breastfeeding among working mothers. The data is rich 
and clear that Investing in national policies and programs to support breastfeeding - such 
as increased maternity benefits for working women - leads to marked improvements in 
social, health and economic development outcomes.
While the R.A. 11210 has been beneficial to working women, a large swathe of 
the work force, as well as their infants, remains unable to enjoy the provisions and 
benefits of the Expanded Maternity Leave Law. These are women working in the informal 
economy who are non-members of the Social Security System (SSS).
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$350 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 Philippines1.
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
1 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mcn. 13098


increased vulnerabilities of women who are also mothers and informal workers, it also 
leads to demonstrable and quantifiable health outcomes at the population level.
For these reasons, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
RISA HONTIVEROS ^ 
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 148
f^v;| Senate
ot tl)c
•22 JUL-7 P3 *-20
RlXElVcD 3V.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
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:
1 
Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as theMaternity Benefit for Women in
2 
the Informal Economy Act”
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to protect the
4 
rights and welfare of women workers in the informal economy, to ensure optimal maternal
5 
health consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals, and to encourage and support
6 
the practice of breastfeeding in furtherance of its obligation to ensure the survival and
7 
development of Filipino children.
8 
Sec. 3. Maternity benefit for women workers in the informal economy. - Section
9 
11 of Republic Act No. 11210 is hereby deleted and replaced with a new Section 11, which
10 
will read as follows:
11 
SECTION 11. MATERNITY BENEFITS FOR FEMALE WORKERS WHO ARE NON-
12 
MEMBERS OF THE SSS. - FEMALE WORKERS WHO ARE NEITHER VOLUNTARY
13 
NOR REGULAR MEMBERS OF THE SSS SHALL RECEIVE, THROUGH THE
14 
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD), A ONE-TIME
15 
DIRECT MATERNITY CASH BENEFIT PER DELIVERY EQUIVALENT TO THE
16 
PREVAILING DAILY MINIMUM WAGE RATE IN HER REGION OF RESIDENCE
17 
MULTIPLIED BY FORTY FOUR (44) DAYS.
18 
Sec. 4. Funding source. — The amounts necessary to fund this maternity benefit
19 
shall be taken from revenues from excise taxes on sweetened beverages, alcohol, tobacco
20 
products, heated tobacco products, and vapor products, and may be augmented under
21 
the General Appropriations Act.


1 
Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared
2 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and
3 
operational.
4 
Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, circulars. Issuances, rules
5 
and regulations and parts thereof which are inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed,
6 
amended or modified accordingly.
7 
Sec. 7. Effectivity. - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
8 
In the Official Gazette or In any two (2) newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. 
Approved,