On February 20, 2019, President R. Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act No. 11210 – The Expanded Maternity Leave Law (R.A. 11210), otherwise known as “An Act Increasing the Maternity Leave Period to One Hundred Five (105) Days for Female Workers with an Option to Extend for an Additional Thirty (30) Days Without Pay and Granting an Additional Fifteen (15) Days for Solo Mothers, and For Other Purposes”.
Senator Riza Hontiveros who advocated the Expanded Maternity Leave law, celebrated the enactment of R.A. 11210 as “a massive victory” for all women. According to her, the “law squarely addresses our lack of maternity leave days, and puts us on a par with international standards. It also supports the best available evidence and practice which are consistent with improving maternity leave policy.”
Additionally, she said that “now, mothers will have more time to rest from pregnancy. Children will be better fed. Fathers and caregivers can bond and create more lasting memories with their loved ones, as families everywhere receive the greatest gift of all time.”
Republic Act No. 11210, now expands the paid leave days to 105 paid leave days to all working new mothers both in the public and private sector regardless of how they gave birth, irrespective of marital status, with the option to extend their maternity leave for 30 more days.
Additional 15-day paid leave days under the law is given to solo parents under The Solo Parent Welfare Act (Republic Act No. 8972).
For those women who miscarriage or under emergency termination of pregnancy, they are only entitled to 60 days of maternity leave with full pay.
What is more, the R.A. 11210 likewise provides that of the 105 paid leave days, Seven days thereof may be transferred to new fathers. This privilege is in addition to the seven-day paternity leave that the fathers already enjoy.
Under R.A. 11210, any violation in the provisions thereof is subject to a fine of “not less than Php20,000 nor more than Php200,000 and imprisonment of not less than six years and one day or more than 12 years or both”.
The implementing rules and regulations of R.A. 11210 will provide for the specifics of the application of the law.
You can view or download the full text of R.A. 11210, The Expanded Maternity Leave Law, below:
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2019/02feb/20190220-RA-11210-RRD.pdf
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Full Text: The Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines (Republic Act 11232)
 - The Expanded Maternity Leave Law, signed by Duterete Feb. 20, 2019, expands the paid leave days to 105 paid leave days.){kind=link}