CAGAYAN de Oro City Councilor Edna Dahino expressed her reservations over the newly-approved expanded maternity leave law that increases the paid leave benefits of mothers to 105 days from the current 60 days.
The law also grants mothers the option to extend for an additional 30 days without pay once they give birth. Single mothers are granted an additional paid 15 days on top of the 105 days.
While she feels that the women deserve the additional maternity leave benefits, Dahino said she is worried that this might hurt the business sector.
"Nalipay ko kay nakatabang ta sa mga kababayen-an maka-recuperate pa sila ug makaatiman pa sila sa ilang mga anak. But for the business sector, as a businesswoman myself, medyo bug-at especially kanang aspect nga sila lang ang nakabalo sa trabaho, so mag-hire napud dayon ug lain while she is taking her leave," she said.
"It actually entails additional cost ug maka-disturbo gyud sa management aspect," Dahino said.
Dahino, the chairperson of the committee on women and family relations, however clarified that she is not against the new law. She said the women needs the time to rest, recuperate, and take care of her newborn child.
"Unta lang win-win solution for both sides. We also have to look after the business sector, especially kadtong mga gagmay nga companies that they can still survive given the conditions," she added.
Under the new law, working mothers in the government and private sector are entitled to 105 days of paid maternity leave credits, with seven days transferable to fathers.
An additional 15 days will also be granted to single mothers.
The previous law only grants employed mothers 60 days of paid leave credits for normal deliveries and 78 days for caesarean deliveries.