Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel has filed a bill seeking to double the mandatory paid paternity leave benefit enjoyed by all married male employees.
House Bill No. 3401 seeks to raise to 15 days the existing seven-day paternity leave benefit for the first four childbirths of a male employee’s lawful wife.
Under existing laws, the benefit also applies to a miscarriage, or the loss of pregnancy by the wife.
“We have to give fathers at least half a month off work, with full pay, for them to be able to lend ample support to their wives in nursing their newborns, and to help mothers recuperate from childbirth,” said Pimentel, a member of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation Inc.
He cited studies showing that husbands who took longer paternity leaves “were more involved with their children and child care activities,” thus reinforcing the long-term bond between father and child.
“There’s no question an extended paternity leave with full pay would go a long way in restoring the family’s overall work-life balance,” he said.
Pimentel said he also favors proposals in the House and the Senate to increase the existing statutory paid maternity leave benefit for working mothers from 60 days “to at least 100 days.”
He noted that a number of the country’s largest employers, including Accenture Inc., already provide their female employees 120 days paid maternity leave benefit.
