EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 2404
RECEIVED
F LED
NDtX
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
MANDATING PAID QUARANTINE LEAVE BENEFITS FOR QUALIFIED 
WORKERS IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The COVID-19 pandemic has crystallized a number of vulnerabilities in our 
health, social and economic systems. The implementation of the lockdowns has placed 
a significant number of our workforce in a more disadvantageous state - loss of jobs, 
reduced work hours and pay, among others.
Pursuant to the declared policy of the State to guarantee protection and 
promotion of the welfare of workers, this bill aims to put in place a mechanism that 
will help address the negative effects of the current pandemic and similar future events 
to our workforce. It seeks to address the consequences when an employee, while in 
the performance of his/her tasks by reason of his/her employment, is exposed to or 
is infected with a highly contagious disease or dangerous chemical which would 
require quarantine for a certain period of time.
This bill provides for twenty-eight (28) paid quarantine leave benefits per year 
equivalent to the daily wage rate of workers in the public and private sectors. So as 
not to burden the empioyers of this additional overhead cost, leaves paid by the 
employers shall be reimbursable by the Social Security System (SSS) and the 
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). This will prevent the spread of diseases 
not only in the workplace but possibly to any other member of the society. This will


also be beneficial to the employers and employees as well as the entire country since 
contagious diseases have proven to significantly impair and impede economic growth, 
as seen and experienced during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
In view of this, early passage of this bill is sought.
hlTQn Mi LAPID
Senator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 2404
8:10 a.m.
NDEX
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
MANDATING PAID QUARANTINE LEAVE BENEFITS FOR QUALIFIED 
WORKERS IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Paid Quarantine Leave
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BenefitAct."
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Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the indispensable role
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of labor as a primary social economic force. As such, it is hereby declared the policy
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of the State to guarantee protection and promotion of welfare of workers. Towards
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this end, the State shall endeavor to protect and maintain a healthy workforce by
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providing for paid quarantine leave benefits to employees required to undergo
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quarantine due to exposure to highly contagious diseases or dangerous chemicals in
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the line of duty.
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Section 3. Grant of Paid Quarantine Leave. - Any person who, while performing
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tasks as required for his/her employment whether in public or private and regardless
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of employment status, shall be exposed to or be infected with a highly contagious
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disease or dangerous chemical which would require quarantine for a certain period to
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prevent its spread to the public as may be determined by the competent government
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authority, shall be entitled to paid leave equivalent to his/her daily wage rate during


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the entire period of his/her quarantine; Provided, that the quarantine period shall not 
exceed twenty-eight (28) days for any given year.
Section 4. Non-diminution of benefits. - Nothing in this Act shall be construed 
as to replace, diminish or prejudice existing sick leave, hazard pay and other benefits 
currently enjoyed by an employee, granted under a collective bargaining agreement 
or present laws. Rights already vested prior to the effectivity of this Act shall remain 
to be in full force and effect upon the passage of this Act.
Section 5. Funding. - The Social Security System (SSS) and the Government 
Service Insurance System (GSIS), as applicable, shall reimburse the employer for the 
payment of its employees' paid quarantine leaves. Provided, that the employer shall 
shoulder the payment of such quarantine leaves in cases where the exposure of an 
employee to such highly contagious disease or dangerous chemicals was a result of 
negligence on the part of the employer.
Section 6. Penaity. - An employer's willful refusal to grant the paid quarantine 
leave benefit shall be punished by a fine of not less than thirty thousand pesos 
(P30,000.00) but not more than two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00). If the 
act or omission penalized by this Act was committed by an association, partnership, 
corporation or any other institution, its managing head, directors or partners shall be 
held liable to the penalties provided by this Act.
Section 7. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - Within thirty (30) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Civil 
Service Commission (CSC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and other government 
agencies charged with administration and enforcement of this Act shail issue the 
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
Section 9. Separabiiity Ciause. - If any part, section or provisions of this Act 
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such 
declaration shall remain in full force and effect.


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Section 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations inconsistent with the provision of this Act are hereby repealed, amended 
or modified accordingly.
Section 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the OfUcia! Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,