THE 105-day maternity leave bill is now up for signing by President Rodrigo Duterte.
This after the Senate and the House of Representatives ratified the measure in the evening of Wednesday, October 3.
Under the measure, seven days out of the 105 days leave may be transferable to fathers.
A solo parent would get an additional 15 days leave, for a total of 120 days of paid maternity leave.
An expectant mother can extend her leave for another 30 days but these would be unpaid.
The mentioned benefits apply to all instances of pregnancy.
Akbayan Representative Tom Villarin, one of the authors of the expanded maternity bill, lauded the ratification of the measure.
Villarin said employers who "genuinely care" need not to worry as studies show that longer maternity leaves would lead to increased productivity.
"It is now up to the President whether or not he will sign into law a measure that is good for the mothers’ and babies’ health, better for the economy, and best for women workers’ rights," he said. (Keith A. Calayag/SunStar Philippines)