nouse pixo.__4257
Introduced by Honorable Carol Jayne B. Lopez

Child-bearing is undoubtedly a female-dominated territory. But child-
rearing, even in its earliest stages, may be, or must be, actively participated in
by the fathers. Even the State has recognized that both parents have the duty
to rear and care for their children. Our welfare laws and rules have also
provided that mothers are entitled to longer maternity leaves after childbirth or
miscarriage. But fathers, under Republic Act No. 8187 or the Paternity Leave
Act of 1996, were granted compensable leave of a mere seven (7) working days.
The law maintains that seven days is sufficient to enable him to effectively
lend support to his wife in her period of recovery and/or in the nursing of the
newly-born child.

It is however the intent and import of this Bill to amend the Paternity
Leave Act of 1996 by extending the paternity leave from seven to ten working
days. It is submitted that a longer period of compensable leave granted to
fathers would enable them to take part more aggressively and enthusiastically
in the caring and rearing of his wife and newborn child.

It is thus sought that the attached bill be approved.

CAROI/JAYNE B. LOPEZ
Ps -list, YACAP


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
1S? Regular Session

Introduced by Honorable Carol Jayne B. Lopez

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT HO. 3187
OTHERWISE KEOWE AS THE
PATERNITY LEAVE ACT OF 1996
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 8187, otherwise known as the
Paternity Leave Act of 1996, is hereby amended, to read as follows:

“SECTION 2. Notwithstanding any law, rules and regulations
to the contrary, every married male employee in the private and
public sectors shall be entitled to a paternity leave of ten (10) days
with full pay for the first four (4) deliveries of the legitimate spouse
with whom he is cohabiting. The male employee applying for
paternity leave shall notify his employer of the pregnancy of his
legitimate spouse and the expected date of such delivery.

For purposes, of this Act, delivery shall include childbirth or any
moire


Section 2. Section 3 of the same lew is hereby further amended, to
read as follows:

“SECTION 3. Definition of Term. - For purposes of this Act,
Paternity Leave refers to the benefits granted to a married male
employee allowing him not to report for work for ten (10} days but
continues to eam the compensation therefor, on the condition that
his spouse has delivered a child or suffered a miscarriage for
purposes of enabling him to effectively lend support to his wife in her
period of recovery and/or in the nursing of the newiy-bom child.”

Section 3. Repealing Clause. All Acts or parts of Acts, executive orders
and their implementing rules inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 4. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared

invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall
remain in force and in effect.

Section 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.