MATERNITY LEAVE FOR SINGLE PREGGIES IN GOV'T

In pursuit of his advocacy of upholding equality among women, Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. filed a bill which seeks for the granting of maternity leave to unmarried pregnant women in the government sector.

The senator noted that Commonwealth Act No. 647 which was enacted on June 14, 1941 provides maternity leave only to married women permanently or temporarily appointed in the government service.

"Commonwealth Act 647 is already an outdated law. Its provision does not cope up with the modern times whereby being a single mother is a status accepted by the society," Revilla pointed out.

He added that the said law does not only discriminates but in effect a financial burden to unmarried pregnant women in the government service who have bear the hospital expenses for their delivery and at the same time endure the salary deductions from their unpaid vacation.

"Because of the outmoded law, it is a double dilemma for unmarried women employed in the government to get pregnant," the lawmaker said.

Revilla further explained that women employees in the private sector, regardless of whether married or not, are provided with maternity leave benefits and this is granted through the provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 8282, otherwise known as the Social Security Act. He stressed that the Constitution recognizes the role of women in nation-building and it is imperative that under whatever circumstances a pregnant woman is in, the government should promote and protect her right.

"It is a sad fate that discrimination against women comes in forms such as these in government institutions. As a matter of right, unmarried pregnant women in government service should also enjoy maternity leave benefits as their counterparts in the private sector service have," he said.

Revilla filed Senate Bill (SB) No. 1864 aimed to provide maternity leave benefits to unmarried pregnant women in the government service, with the period of maternity vacation depending on the type of natal delivery.

Under the said bill, married or unmarried pregnant women working in the government shall be provided with a maternity leave of sixty days for normal delivery and seventy-eight days in case of caesarean operation."This is my Valentine's Day gift to all single pregnant mothers in government," the senator beamingly ended.