Lawmaker wants paternity leave extended from 7 to 30 days
MANILA, Philippines - The House assistant majority leader wants to modify the "Paternity Leave Act of 1996" which used to allow all married male employees only seven days of paid leave benefits to 15 days.
 |
| The Paternity Leave Act’s revisions lengthens the paid leave benefits of all married male employees and provide them additional unpaid leave benefits for the first four deliveries of legitimate spouse, which shall not be deducted from his annual leave credits. Philstar.com/File photo |
Rep. Edcel “Grex” B. Lagman (1st District, Albay) seeks for the acts’ revision, since according to him, a husband’s physical presence is essential for the recovery of his wife during the first month after childbirth. As such, the amendment also grants every husband additional 15 days of unpaid leave to prolong the time spent with his wife and newborn after delivery.
Lagman further raised his concerns saying that every mother is at risk of postpartum depression since their hormones are going haywire while they attend to their child’s needs 24/7 and a husband’s presence is also medically proven to reduce this disorder. Moreover, a husband’s aid and care for his wife and baby will make nurturing for both parents manageable.
“During the first weeks of a baby’s life, the family bond is formed and intensified daily as the baby recognizes his primary caregivers. A father also feels a great desire to hold his little one as much as his wish to provide financially for his family’s needs,” added Lagman.
Lagman said Republic Act 8187, otherwise known as the Paternity Leave Act of 1996 was promulgated in line with Article II, Section 12 of the Constitution which provides that “The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. The natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character shall receive the support of the Government.”
The Paternity Leave Act’s revisions lengthens the paid leave benefits of all married male employees and provide them additional unpaid leave benefits for the first four deliveries of legitimate spouse, which shall not be deducted from his annual leave credits. “The male employee applying for paternity leave shall notify his employer of the pregnancy of his legitimate spouse and the expected date of such delivery,” RA 8187 states.
Lagman pushes for the amendment of Section 2 of RA 8187 under the House Bill 5544, which is currently pending at the Committee of Labor and Employment chaired by Rep. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles (1st District, Davao City).
***Originally published on Philstar.com; April 6, 2015; 5:22 P.M. Link: Lawmaker wants paternity leave extended from 7 to 30 days
Comments