MANILA – A bill seeking to extend maternity benefits to women workers in the informal sector has been filed at the House of Representatives.

In a report, it said that House Bill No. 9904, authored by ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, adopts the provisions of Senate Bill No. 1579, which proposes a one-time maternity cash benefit for every childbirth to female workers who are not members of the Social Security System (SSS).

Under the proposal, eligible beneficiaries would receive an amount equivalent to 44 days of the prevailing daily minimum wage in the mother’s region of residence.

“This bill would further strengthen the State’s constitutional mandate to protect the right to health and promote decent working conditions of all working women in the country,” De Lima said.

“By providing optimal maternal healthcare in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, we are not only protecting mothers’ rights but also ensuring the survival and development of Filipino children,” she added.

The measure designates the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to administer the distribution of the proposed cash benefit.

“Sa pagsasabatas ng panukalang ito, hangad po natin na walang ina na mapag-iiwanan at mapagkakaitan ng karapatan at nararapat na serbisyo sa kanilang pagdadalang-tao at pag-aruga sa kanilang mga anak,” De Lima said.

The bill provides that funding for the maternity benefit will come from revenues generated through excise taxes on sweetened beverages, alcoholic drinks, tobacco products, heated tobacco products and vapor products. The allocation may also be supplemented through the General Appropriations Act.