Push for Maternity Benefits for Informal Sector Women
MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers urge the 20th Congress to approve proposals granting maternity benefits to women working in the informal sector. Parañaque Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan emphasized the importance of helping this vital but underserved labor force segment.
Yamsuan filed House Bill No. 2240, known as the Equal Maternity Protection Act, which aims to provide a one-time direct maternity cash benefit per delivery to women who are not Social Security System (SSS) members. This bill specifically targets freelancers, own-account workers, home-based employees, and those in unregulated or informal jobs.
“Malaking bahagi ng ating mga informal workers na kasama sa pagpapasigla ng ating ekonomiya ay mga kababaihan at karamihan sa kanila ay walang benefits na natatanggap mula sa gobyerno. Ang ating panukalang batas ay layuning mabago ang ganitong di-patas na pagtrato sa kanila,” Yamsuan said.
(A large portion of our informal workers who boost the economy are women, and most do not receive government benefits. Our bill aims to correct this unfair treatment.)
Aligning with National Economic Goals
This legislation is crucial, especially as President Marcos recently vowed to expand opportunities for low-income Filipinos in his fourth State of the Nation Address. Marcos highlighted that despite positive economic indicators, many Filipinos still face hardships.
HB No. 2240 proposes to amend Republic Act No. 11210, or the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law, which currently limits benefits to women contributing to the SSS fund. The bill seeks to extend maternity protection to informal sector women who remain excluded.
Impact on Local Communities and Women Entrepreneurs
Yamsuan noted many women in Parañaque’s 2nd District benefit from livelihood programs like Bigay Negosyo and Dagdag Pangkabuhayan, with 80% and 72% female recipients respectively. These women often lack social protection, including health insurance and paid leaves.
“Working in the informal sector leaves women without any form of social benefits. They do not have health insurance, or vacation and sick leaves. They have to continue to work while nurturing themselves back to health and providing for their newborn infant and their family because they are deprived of the most fundamental social protection—maternity benefits,” Yamsuan explained.
Providing maternity benefits not only eases the burdens of working mothers but also promotes better health outcomes for mothers and children, benefiting the economy and society as a whole.
Implementation and Funding
Under the bill, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will oversee beneficiary eligibility and requirements for the maternity cash grant. Women working informally in Metro Manila could receive P15,290 after childbirth, based on the prevailing minimum wage of P695.
Funding will come from excise taxes on sweetened beverages, alcohol, tobacco, and vapor products, with possible additional allocations from the annual budget.
Current Support and Challenges
President Marcos has previously supported aid for pregnant women in the government’s conditional cash transfer (4Ps) program. Starting January 2025, around 80,000 pregnant and lactating women under 4Ps began receiving a monthly P350 cash incentive for prenatal and postnatal care.
DSWD Director Gemma Gabuya stated this additional grant covers mothers from pregnancy through their child’s first two years, totaling 1,000 days.
Despite these efforts, experts warn that the assistance remains insufficient. The World Health Organization urges countries, including the Philippines, to ensure proper healthcare for mothers and children.
The Philippines’ maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in 2023 was 84 deaths per 100,000 births, higher than the Western Pacific regional average of 35. Although improved from 117 in 2010, the figure highlights ongoing health challenges.
For more news and updates on maternity benefits for informal sector women, visit Filipinokami.com.
