Binay hopes Duterte signs expanded maternity leave bill before Christmas

Senator Nancy Binay hopes that President Rodrigo Duterte will sign into law the expanded maternity leave bill within the month as an early Christmas gift to working mothers.

“I pray and hope na ngayong buwan ay maging ganap na batas na ang expanded maternity leave bill. If the President gets to sign it soon, then it will be an early Christmas gift to working mothers who carry the next generation of Filipinos,” Binay said in a statement.

Under the said bill, mothers will have 105 days of paid maternity leave from the current 60 days for normal deliveries and 90 days for cesarean deliveries.

The bill also removes the cap of four pregnancies as all types of pregnancies will be covered under the proposed law.

“The 105-day maternity leave is a big step in giving particular attention to motherhood premiums,” Binay said.

“Ito ay isang pagkilala sa mga ginagampanang mahahalagang papel ng mga nanay sa lipunan, sa kanilang puhunang oras sa trabaho, at pagbibigay ng sapat na panahon sa pag-aruga sa kanilang mga anak,” she added.

The bicameral version of the bill also grants single mothers another 15 days of leave, while those who have miscarriages will be granted 60 days leave.

Mothers also have an option to further extend their maternity leaves by another 15 days. However, this would be considered as leave without pay.

Binay also said that if the bill would be signed into law, it would allow the mother and the newborn child to bond longer.

“Some countries in Europe have recognized that mother and child bonding deserves a longer time, and allowed a year with pay for them. We will be at par with the International Labor Organization’s standard of 98 days or the ASEAN coverage of 93 days,” Binay said.

A congressional bicameral conference panel approved on Tuesday the expanded maternity leave bill.  /muf

READ: Bicam OKs 105-day maternity leave