Hontiveros on expanded maternity leave bill: ‘Victory for Filipino women’

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday hailed the Senate’s ratification of the bicameral conference committee report on the bill seeking to expand maternity leave days as a victory for women.

READ: Senate ratifies expanded maternity leave bill

Hontiveros, who is also the vice chairwoman of the Senate committee on Health, said the proposed law mandates 105 days of paid maternity leave to all working mothers and another 15 days to single mothers.

“This is truly historic and revolutionary. This is a massive victory for all Filipino women. The last time that the number of paid maternity leave days was increased in the country was in 1992 or 26 years ago,” Hontiveros said in a privilege speech at the Senate.

The lawmaker added that provisions under the bill are “revolutionary” because it offers 14 paternity leave days for fathers, which would improve both parents’ bond with their child.

“Parenting is a collective effort, and pregnancy is both a delicate and precious time. Pregnancy and childcare are not the responsibility of women alone. Men deserve the opportunity to create meaningful memories with their partners as they welcome and nurture their children,” Hontiveros said.

A bicameral congressional committee on Oct. 1 approved the consolidated version of the bill. /ee

READ: Bicam OKs 105-day maternity leave

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