Unpaid Care Workers Equity and Empowerment Act

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES FEELE OF THERE PINE First Regular Session 25 JUL -7 A9:29 SENATE C*" S. No. Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT PROVIDING FOR BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO UNPAID CARE WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), more than 16 billion hours of unpaid care work are estimated to be undertaken daily. This is equivalent to 9% of global gross domestic product or around 11 trillion US dollars per year. 1 The latest evidence documented by the University of Oxford's Young Lives Study in its March 2025 Policy Brief shows that by age 29, women are doing over three times more unpaid care work than men, spending 4.5 to 5.3 work hours per day. Women and girls continue to do more unpaid care work than men and boys.? In the recent EmpowerHer campaign by Oxfam Pilipinas, held last April 2025, it was emphasized that studies have pointed to women performing more and longer hours of care work as the cause of the decline in women's participation in the workforce. 3 Women's unpaid work effectively fills the gaps from insufficient social services. At their own expense, they shoulder the cost of care that sustains both families and 1 Retrieved June 26, 2025 from: https://www.younglives.org.uk/sites/default/files/2025-04/YL- PolicyBrief-62-Apr25.pdf 2 Ibid. 3 Retrieved June 26, 2025 from: https://oxfam.org.ph/empowerher-campaign-unpaid-care-work/

the broader economy of the Philippines. It is, however, concerning that despite the immense value of their contribution, at home and in society, the work unpaid care workers perform remains largely unrecognized as legitimate "work." As a result, they continue to be uncompensated with the time, effort and care they devote every day, day in and out, only to sustain their households and communities. It is about time that the Philippines recognizes the critical role and importance of unpaid care workers in society by taking firm steps to identify and promote their rights and uphold their dignity and well-being by providing concrete benefits through the outlined comprehensive package of social development and welfare services, benefits and privileges for unpaid care workers. The bill also activates inter-agency partnerships through the leadership of the Department of Social Welfare and Development as a member of the Social Development Committee under the Economy and Development Council. In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. LOREN LEGARDA

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) First Regular Session 25 JUL -7 A9:29 SENATE S. No. Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT PROVIDING FOR BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO UNPAID CARE WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Unpaid Care Workers

Equity and Empowerment Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote a just

and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all. The State likewise values the dignity of every human person and recognizes the role of women in nation-building. Towards this end, the State shall ensure full respect for human rights and the fundamental equality of men and women in the eyes of the law.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall be

defined as follows: (a) "Care work" consists of the following activities: (1) Direct, personal, and relational care activities, such as taking care of the children, tending to the elderly or persons with disabilities, nursing an ill member of the household; and/or

(2) Indirect care activities, such as, among others, production of goods and services for the exclusive use of the household, domestic work like cleaning, cooking, and other household chores; (b) "Unpaid care work" refers to care work provided by unpaid care workers for members of his or her household without monetary reward. Unpaid care work is still considered work and is thus a crucial dimension of the world of work; (c) "Unpaid care worker" (UCW) refers to any individual who performs unpaid care work as defined in this Act; (d) "Household" refers to the immediate members of the family or the occupants of the house who are directly and regularly provided services by the unpaid care worker; (e) "Children" refer to those living with the unpaid care worker and dependent on him/her for support, who are single and unmarried, unemployed, and below eighteen (18) years of age, or those over 18 years of age but are unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition; (f) "Disabled persons" refers to those suffering from the restriction of different abilities, a result of mental, physical, or sensory impairment, to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being as provided by Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, otherwise known as the "Magna Carta for Disabled Persons;" and (g) "Parental responsibility" refers to the rights and duties of parents with respect to their children as defined in Article 220 of Executive Order No. 209, as amended, otherwise known as the "Family Code of the Philippines."

Sec. 4. Criteria for Support. - Any person who possesses either of the following

qualifications may avail of the benefits and privileges provided for under this Act: (a) Any spouse living with the household, primarily performing unpaid care work as defined by this Act for at least 20 hours per week, and is:

(1) At least eighteen (18) years of age but not more than sixty (60) years of age; and (2) Must have legally contracted marriage; (b) Any family member living with the household, and primarily performing unpaid care work as defined by this Act; or (c) Any individual living with the household, and primarily performing unpaid care work as defined by this Act. Employment, whether part-time or full-time, shall not disqualify these individuals from claiming benefits under this Act: Provided, further, That only one (1) individual may qualify as a UCW for every household.

Sec. 5 Disqualifications - The following shall not be qualified to avail the benefits

of this Act: (a) Individuals convicted by final judgment for an offense involving moral turpitude shall not be qualified; (b) A change in the status or circumstance of the UCW claiming benefits under this Act placing him or her outside the definition of a UCW shall terminate his or her eligibility for these benefits; and (c) Those receiving similar benefits as a Solo Parent or Senior Citizen.

Sec. 6. Lead Implementing Agency - The Department of Social Welfare and

Development (DSWD) shall serve as the lead implementing agency of this Act. In the exercise of this mandate, the DSWD shall: (a) Develop and implement policies, programs, and services under this Act and coordinate with the appropriate national government agencies and local government units; (b) Study the viability of creating a national registry of unpaid care workers; (c) Formulate policies and strategies for the implementation of this Act, which should be raised to and reviewed through the Social Development Committee under the Economy and Development Council under Republic Act No. 12145. For this purpose, the DSWD shall consult with the following: (a) Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) as the Vice-Chairperson; (b) Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA);

(c) Commission on Human Rights (CHR); (d) Department of Health (DOH); (e) Department of Education (DepEd); (f) Commission on Higher Education (CHED); (g) Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); (h) Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); (i) Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); and (i) Department of Budget and Management.

Sec. 7. Comprehensive Package of Social Development and Welfare Services

for Unpaid Care Workers. - A Comprehensive Package of Social Development and Welfare Services for UCWs, hereinafter referred to as the UCW Comprehensive Package, is hereby established for the benefit of qualified UCWs and their families. The DSWD, in partnership with the appropriate agencies, shall lead the implementation of the UCW Comprehensive Package, in coordination with LGUs, non- government organizations, people's organizations, and other key stakeholders. At the minimum, the package shall include: (a) Livelihood development services, including, but not limited to, training programs on livelihood skills, basic business management, value orientation, and the provision of seed capital for self-employed UCWs or job placement in flexible work opportunities; (b) Counseling services, including, but not limited to, individual, peer group, or family counseling. This will focus on conflict resolution in personal relationships; (c) Parent effectiveness services, including, but not limited to, the provision and expansion of knowledge and skills of the UCWs and the members of their households on early childhood development, behavior management, health care, and the rights and duties of parents and children; (d) Child and elderly care support services, including, but not limited to, the establishment of elderly care centers, breastfeeding centers, and day- care centers;

(e) Critical incidence stress debriefing, including, but not limited to, preventive stress management strategies designed to assist UCWs in coping with crisis situations and cases of abuse; and (f) Special projects for individuals in need of protection, including, but not limited to, temporary shelter, counseling, legal assistance, medical care, self-concept or ego-building, crisis management, and spiritual enrichment.

Sec. 8. Privileges for Unpaid Care Workers. - In consideration of the services

9 by the qualified UCWs, they may avail the following privileges, in addition to the benefits herein provided: (a) UCW Discount. - The grant of twenty percent (20%) discount from all establishments relative to the utilization of transportation services, restaurants, and recreation centers, and purchase of medicine anywhere in the country: Provided, That the establishments may claim the discounts granted under this Section as a tax deduction based on the net cost of the goods sold or services rendered: Provided, further, That the cost of the discount shall be allowed as a deduction from gross income for the same taxable year that the discount is granted: Provided, finally, That the total amount of the claimed tax deduction net of value- added tax, if applicable, shall be included in their gross sales receipts for tax purposes and shall be subject to proper documentation and to the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended; (b) Prohibition Against Work Discrimination. - No employer shall discriminate against any UCW employee with respect to terms and conditions of employment on account of his or her status; (c) Flexible Work Schedule. -The employer shall provide for a flexible working schedule for UCWs: Provided, That the same shall not affect individual and company productivity: Provided, further, That any employer may request exemption from the above requirements from the DOLE on certain meritorious grounds; (d) UCW Leave. - In addition to leave privileges under existing laws, parental leave of not more than three (3) working days every year shall be

granted to any UCW employee who has rendered service of at least one (1) year; (e) Educational Benefits. - DepEd, CHED, and TESDA shall provide the following benefits and privileges: (1) Scholarship programs for qualified UCWs and the members of their household in institutions of basic, tertiary, and technical or skills education; and (2) Non-formal education programs appropriate for UCWs and the member of their household. (f) Medical Assistance. - DOH shall develop a comprehensive healthcare program for UCWs and their family. The program shall be implemented by DOH through their retained hospitals and medical centers and by LGUs through their respective local hospitals and/or health care centers; (g) Community Engagement. - The LGUs, in coordination with non- government organizations, people's organizations, the private sector, and other stakeholders, shall conduct regular dialogues and information = drives with the community to educate them on the importance of care work and other gender issues. Through this multi-sectoral mechanism, UCWs can participate and put forth their needs for integration into the local government pandemic programming and management; (h) Gender and Development Information Drive. - PCW, in coordination with the CHR, shall lead the conduct of advocacy activities, gather input, and develop data on UCWs, in coordination with the PSA, thru the conduct of the Census of Population, dissemination of information, and education of communities in the recognition of UCW's importance in nation building. The PCW shall be guided by a model of three (3) interconnected dimensions to incorporate the issue of UCW into the development agenda, namely: (1) Recognition; (2) Reduction; and (3) Redistribution.

Sec. 9. Care Work Education and Training Program. - The Council, together

with DepEd for basic education, the CHED for State Universities and Colleges (SUCS), and TESDA for technical-vocational schools, shall establish a strong collaboration for

the formulation and implementation of plans and programs for the integration and mainstreaming of care work in the educational system.

Sec. 10. Responsibility of Local Government Units. - The city or municipality,

through the city or municipal mayor concerned, shall ensure the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act, as well as care policies, programs, and services developed by the Council, within their respective jurisdictions. The city or 7 municipal mayor concerned shall submit annual reports to DILG on their progress.

Sec. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Councii, through its

9 Chairperson, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective 10 implementation of this Act within sixty (60) days from its approval. The Councll, in consultation with LGUs, non-government organizations, people's organizations, and other key stakeholders, shall lead the preparation of the implementing rules and regulatlons. The rules and regulations issued pursuant to this Section shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Sec. 12. Appropriations. - The funds necessary to carry out the initial

implementation of this Act shall be charged against the respective budget of concerned agencies for the current year. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General 19 Appropriations Act.

Sec. 13. Annual Report. - The Council shall submit comprehensive annual

reports to the Congress of the Philippines, which shall include its assessment of the efficacy of the care policies, programs, and services, and the status of its 23 implementation, including, but not limited to, progress reports, challenges, and recommendations, review of the policies involved, research and data, and other reports integral to the implementation of this Act.

Sec. 14. Congressional Oversight. - Both Houses of Congress, particularly the

Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality of the Senate and the Committee on Women and Gender Equality of the House of Representatives, shall oversee the implementation of this Act.

Sec. 15. Sunset Review. - Within five (5) years after the effectivity of this Act,

or as the need arises, both Houses of Congress shall conduct a sunset review. For 32 purposes of this Act, the term "sunset review" shall mean a systematic evaluation by

the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality of the Senate and by the Committee on Women and Gender Equality of the House of Representatives of the accomplishments and impact of this Act, as well as the performance and organizational structure of its implementing agencies, for purposes of determining remedial legislation.

Sec. 16. Separability Clause. - If any part, section, or provision of this Act shall

be held invalid or unconstitutional, no other part, section, or provision thereof shall be affected thereby.

Sec. 17. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and

10 regulations, issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Sec. 18. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication either in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,