A good news for Parents-to-be in the Philippines! The country's Congress has ratified on Wednesday (3/10) the Expanded Maternity Leave bill that provides 105 days of paid maternity leave to working mothers.
The bill provides 105 days of paid maternity leave to all working mothers and an additional 15 days to solo mothers. There is also an option to extend for an additional 30 unpaid days.
The ratification comes after the bicameral conference committee approved it on Monday (1/10) when it added five more days to the originally proposed 100-day paid leave.
This is "a historic victory for women" as expressed by Senator Risa Hontiveros in her speech at the Senate, since the last time that the number of paid maternity leave days was increased in the country was 26 years ago in 1992.
"Now, we not only have a maternity leave policy that is at par with international standards, it also includes modern provisions to adequately respond to the everyday reality confronted by women and our families."
Hontiveros also said that the bill is "revolutionary" since it also has "daddy quota" provision, which allows the allocation of seven maternity leave days to fathers.
This increases paternity leave days of working men to 14 days from the current seven days.
"The idea behind the law is not only to give expectant mothers ample time to ensure the best possible conditions for a healthy delivery, recovery from childbirth and a stronger mother-child bond, it also recognizes the role of fathers in parenting and contributes to a more equal distribution of child care among Filipino families," the senator said.
There would be a penalty of at least P20,000 for the non-conferment of the expanded maternity leave to employees.
The only remaining step before it becomes law is President Rodrigo Duterte's signature.
Source: The Philstar