The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has expressed support for additional maternity leaves for employees.
The proposed measure, which seeks to amend the current law requiring 60 to 78 days of maternity leave, was approved by the Senate in January this year while the House of Representatives is expected to follow suit.
READ: Senate OKs additional maternity leaves for employees
Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos, chairman of the CBCP Commission on Migrant and Itinerant Peoples, said in a Radyo Veritas interview that the government should prioritize the welfare of women who need to care for their babies.
He said mothers need a longer maternity leave to avoid health complications after giving birth.
Santos also shared that the current 60 to 78 days of leave is below the 98 days recommended by the International Labor Organization.
“Alam naman natin na 45 days, two months ay kulang na alagaan, ingatan ang mga bata. Sa mga araw at buwan na iyon, delikado ang kalagayan ng mga bata at bigyan ng panahon, habaan ang mga araw na sila ay makakapiling ng kanilang mga anak,” Santos said.
(We know that 45 days, two months is both enough to take care of children. During those days and months, the situation of the child is still dangerous and we need to allot more time for mothers to be with their babies.) JE