Maternity Benefit for Women in the Informal Economy Act

Senate Office of the secretay TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 25 DEC -3 P1:35 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY S.B. No. 1529 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT GRANTING A MATERNITY BENEFIT TO WOMEN WORKERS IN THE INFORMAL ECONOMY, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11210, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE One of the drivers of Republic Act No. 11210 or the Expanded Maternity Leave Law is to increase the prevalence of breastfeeding among working mothers. The data is rich and clear that Investing in national policies and programs to support breastfeeding - such as increased maternity benefits for working women - leads to marked improvements in social, health and economic development outcomes. While the R.A. 11210 has been beneficial to working women, a large swathe of the work force, as well as their infants, remains unable to enjoy the provisions and benefits of the Expanded Maternity Leave Law. These are women working in the informal economy who are non-members of the Social Security System (SSS). Peer-reviewed research published in the Maternal and Child Nutrition Journal has quantified the economic toll that inadequate breastfeeding takes on individuals, communities and countries, and has found that the current cost to the Philippine health care system due to inadequate breastfeeding is around US$16.3 million per year, and future cognitive losses of US$2.3 billion a year owing to reduced development and earning potential can be expected. The costs of infant formula also significantly reduce a family's disposable income. Providing a maternity benefit to women workers in the informal economy equivalent to around US$350 per mother is paltry compared to the potential economic benefits of improving breastfeeding rates at population level. In fact, according to the same study, the estimated cost of a 14- week maternity leave is only 5% of the cost of not breastfeeding in the Philippines. 'https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mcn.13098

Therefore, a maternity benefit for women workers in the informal economy is not just a social justice measure and an important way to address the multiple burdens and increased vulnerabilities of women who are also mothers and informal workers, it also leads to demonstrable and quantifiable health outcomes at the population level. For these reasons, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. starters saraqueel RISA HONTIVEROS Senator

Senate Office of the Seariary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 DEC -3 P1:35 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S.B. No. 1579 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT GRANTING A MATERNITY BENEFIT TO WOMEN WORKERS IN THE INFORMAL ECONOMY, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11210, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Maternity Benefit for Women

in the Informal Economy Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to protect

the rights and welfare of women workers in the informal economy, to ensure optimal maternal health consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals, and to encourage and support the practice of breastfeeding in furtherance of its obligation to ensure the survival and development of Filipino children.

Sec. 3. Maternity benefit for women workers in the informal economy. - Section

11 of Republic Act No. 11210 is hereby deleted and replaced with a new Section 11, which will read as follows:

SECTION 11. MATERNITY BENEFITS FOR FEMALE WORKERS WHO ARE NON

MEMBERS OF THE SSS. - FEMALE WORKERS WHO ARE NEITHER VOLUNTARY NOR REGULAR MEMBERS OF THE SSS SHALL RECEIVE, THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD), A ONE- TIME DIRECT MATERNITY CASH BENEFIT PER DELIVERY EQUIVALENT TO THE PREVAILING DAILY MINIMUM WAGE RATE IN HER REGION OF RESIDENCE MULTIPLIED BY FORTY FOUR (44) DAYS.

Sec. 4. Funding source. — The amounts necessary to fund this maternity

benefit shall be taken from revenues from excise taxes on sweetened beverages, alcohol, tobacco products, heated tobacco products, and vapor products, and may be augmented under the General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared

unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and operational.

Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, circulars. Issuances, rules

and regulations and parts thereof which are inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 7. Effectivity. - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication In the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. Approved,