President Rodrigo Duterte had already signed the Expanded Maternity Leave bill, which extend paid maternity leave for women in the government and private sector to 105 days. Respectively, the bill also allows an extension of 30 days without pay.
Before, there are only 60 days that is allowable for pregnant women to leave. To date, the law had made it as 105 days.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Duterte’s former top aide Christopher “Bong” Go confirmed that Duterte has signed the bill.
More importantly, based on the report made by GMA, additional benefits will also be grant to all women regardless of her civil status. Further, single mothers, are allowed to extend another 15 days of leave.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, as one of the proponents of the law, considered that as the bill being enacted as low is a victory for every women and families.
“The signing into law of the Expanded Maternity Leave Act is a moment mothers, families, and children will not only remember, but a victory generations of Filipinos will reap the benefits of for the rest of their lives,” she said.
The senator also imparted that the law addresses the concern of the country which lack maternity leave.
As cited in the report of GMA, Senator Hontiveros added to her statement that “now, mothers will have more time to rest from pregnancy. Children will be better fed. Fathers and caregivers can bond and create more lasting memories with their loved ones, as families everywhere receive the greatest gift of all time”.
In addition, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that the Expanded Maternity Leave is a priority legislation of the Department of Labor and Employment.
Source:
Duterte signs expanded maternity leave into law