Lawmakers support passage of expanded maternity leave bill

As part of the celebration of Women’s Month at the House of Representatives and the campaign calling for the full implementation of the RPRH Law and the enactment of other women and children’s health measures, PLCPD and ARCHES Project, in partnership with labor groups, NAGKAISA, WorkersforEML and IndustriALL, led women advocates in a gathering to call on the swift passage of the Expanded Maternity Protection bill to kick off the National Women’s Month in the House of Representatives. During the event, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez; PLCPD members Deputy Speakers Linabelle Villarica, Sharon Garin, and Pia Cayetano; and Director Hassan of the International Labor Organization and Asec. Joji Aragon of the Department of Labor and Employment expressed their support for the bill.

During the session time, Committee on Women and Gender Equality Chair Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy led the resumption of interpellations for the Expanded Maternity Leave bill after it has been stalled for more than a year. The bill is expected to be passed soon given the strong support from House leadership.