Malacañang on Thursday hailed the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations for Republic Act 11210, or the Expanded Maternity Leave Law, saying it will be beneficial for mothers.
In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the signing of the IRR will protect the health of mothers and will hugely benefit families.
“It will add more benefits to your [women] present benefits. Imagine, 105 days… That means you will have more quality time with your family,” Panelo told Palace reporters.
“Your health will be protected because you will not be forced to work immediately after giving birth,” he added, noting that the new law will also provide comfort to husbands.
On Wednesday, Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello led the signing of the IRR, paving the way for the full implementation of the legislation.
Under the new law, all working mothers in government and private sector shall be granted 105 days of paid maternity leave credits, providing them an option to extend their leaves for another 30 days without pay.
They shall also be given seven days leave transferrable to fathers. It also doubles the allowed paternity leave to 14 days.
Meanwhile, based on the IRR, mothers will also have the option to file for an additional 15 days of unpaid leave.
The maternity benefits shall apply to every instance of pregnancy, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy regardless of frequency.
The said law applies to all instances of pregnancies, removing the four-pregnancy cap.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed the said measure into law last February, hoping to provide additional leave benefits for employed mothers both in the public and private sector.