SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
'15 
FEB 17 P 1 :36 
SENATE 
2656 
S,NO. ___ _ 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
INCREASING MATERNITY LEAVE BENEFITS FROM SIXTY (60) DAYS TO 
ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (120) DAYS OR FOUR MONTHS, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE, P.D. 442, AS AMENDED BY R.A. 7322 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The vital role of women in society and economy has long been recognized in our country. 
The Philippine Constitution under Art. II, 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. Also, Art. Xllr, Sec. 14 of our Constitution, provides 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. 
In 2008, UNICEF cited the Philippines' Mortality Rate wherein thirty two (32) Filipino 
children (per 1,000 live births) die before the age offive and the Philippines ranked 86th 
among 190 countries with the highest under-five mortality rate. The report also cited 
several recommendations that would help reduce our country's mortality rate among 
which is access to exclusive breastfeeding for a long period of timel . WHO even 
recognizes breastfeeding as an ideal way of providing young infants with the nutrients 
they need for healthy growth and development2 
This recognizes maternity as a vital social function played by women and protects the 
rights of working women and their infants to proper health care by increasing the 
maternity leave of working women from sixty (60) days or eight (8) weeks to one 
hundred eighty (180) days or twenty-four (24) weeks thereby allowing mothers to 
breast feed their child for at least six (6) months. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought. 
ANj;,:~NNY"~SIV 
Senator 
l Data :retrieved from http://asianjountrllwordoress.comf2Q08f03f17fllnicef-citeS:fV:tnll'1t.aIitv--mtef on 718120 J 3 
2: Data retrieved from bttp:HWWW.'\'\DO.in1JtOPjc:sIbrea..'d.fCe4ing1enlon7!8J20t3. 
I 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regnlar Session 
) 
'15 'FEB 17 P 1 :36 
SENATE 
8. NO. 
2656 
RECEIVED By:-6-':' 
-----------------------------------------------------
AN AC.T 
INCREASING MATERNITY LEAVE BJ1:NEFITS FROM SIXTY (68) DAYS TO 
ONJi; HUNDRED TWENTY (120) DAYS OR FOUR MONTHS" AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE" P.D. 442" AS AMENDED BY R..A.. 7322 
Ik itt ~ 
fby Ilk: lJ[@JIJfj,'e «rI~~ 
VlMIIi Ilk: ~ 
of tire Philippines in 
Congress assemMed: 
1 
SEC'l'ION 1. Adiicle III of~.Deccoo (pD.) 441, as amended by ItA 
2 
1322, is:hereby amended to read lIS follows: 
3 
4 
"ART. III Maternity Leave Benefits. 
S 
(:III) 
Eveny emIDj[l>lk»Ja' slImBIIll ~ 
1Ri» 3IiIlllY ~ 
_ 
employee. who 
6 
_ 
I1i:IIIdered m ~ 
:!III:J!Wirce of :mit least six (6) DlOJIths fur the lasll 
1 
twelve (11) ~ 
~ 
bwe of:mlt least two Q) WIelI:b prim to the 
S 
exptdodl tdIatte of ~ 
3IIIIlid! ~ 
[JiOOJr (4)] TWEINfIY-'JWO WEEKS 
9 
af!er nmmal OR CAE:SMUAN DlEILlIVERY. with full pay based on her 
IO 
regular or average weekly wages," 
11 
12 
SEC. 2. AlIIl liaMs" ~ 
mulIe!r. miles i!IlIIlid reguialions,. and other isslJllllCeS or 
Il 
parts 1hereo:t;, ~ 
wittIIn 1!lInis; Ad are ilreIreby nepeaied or amended accmdingly. 
14 
IS 
SEC. 3. 'TIDi£ Ad slImBIIll1lllllre effect fi&emt (] 5) days il>llowing iIs pubJicaiion in the 
16 
0fficilIll GazdIIe m iIm my twm ~pt:B of ~ 
cimdalion. 
Approved, 
2