MANILA, Philippines — Former vice president and senatorial aspirant Jejomar Binay said that working parents should be entitled to additional paid leaves and government assistance if they could not report to work to care for their children.
Binay said the COVID-19 pandemic affects families’ financial security and well-being, and this measure could help mitigate its effects.
“With schools closed, many working parents are unable to go to work because they need to look after their children. They should be given government aid and entitled to additional paid leaves,” Binay said in a Tweet on Tuesday, adding his proposal should cover private and government employees.
The former vice president said working parents need the government’s help “as long as the economy is still recovering.”
“Most families are cutting back on expenses for food, medicine, and essential needs,” Binay pointed out. “And not only working-class families but also middle-class families.”
Binay previously proposed giving additional benefits to family members caring for their elderly parents.
With schools closed, many working parents are unable to go to work bec they need to look after their children. They should be given gov’t aid and more paid leaves. Mental health break para sa students, ayuda at paid leave para sa parents. (1/3)
— Jejomar C. Binay (@JojoCBinay) January 25, 2022