The legal framework
The Expanded Maternity Leave Law of 2019 provides one hundred and five days of paid leave for every live birth, with an additional fifteen days for solo parents and the option to transfer seven days to the father or an alternate caregiver. Antenatal care and facility-based delivery are covered in part by the national health insurance programme, delivered through rural health units and lying-in clinics.
The Expanded Maternity Leave Law of 2019 gives one hundred and five days of paid leave for a live birth, among the longest in Asia, with an additional fifteen days for a solo parent and seven days transferable to the father or to another caregiver. Benefits are paid through the social security system for private employees. Antenatal care is provided through local health units and, for members, through the national health insurance programme.
Key points
| Maternity leave | One hundred and five days paid, for every live birth |
|---|---|
| Solo parents | An additional fifteen days |
| Transferable days | Seven days may be transferred to the father or an alternate caregiver |
| Coverage | PhilHealth maternity care package for antenatal care and delivery |
| Delivery | Facility-based delivery is national policy; home delivery is discouraged |
| Rural health units | The main point of antenatal care |
| Midwives | Deliver much of the care, including in lying-in clinics |
In practice
- Notify your employer and the social security system of the pregnancy to secure the benefit.
- Register early with the rural health unit: the PhilHealth package runs through accredited facilities.
- The seven transferable days must be notified in writing.
- Ask whether the facility is PhilHealth-accredited before choosing where to deliver.
Cost and coverage
The PhilHealth package covers part of the cost; accredited facilities charge less.
Recent changes
The Expanded Maternity Leave Law of 2019 raised leave to one hundred and five days with additional days for solo parents, and PhilHealth has broadened its maternity care package.
Where to go
- Rural health units and city health offices.
- PhilHealth for the maternity care package.
- Social Security System for the maternity benefit.
Worth knowing
The benefit is paid for every live birth, not only the first two — a change from the previous law that many employers have still not applied.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays the maternity benefit?
The Social Security System for private-sector employees, with the employer advancing the payment and claiming reimbursement; government employees are covered by their own system. Self-employed and voluntary members qualify if contributions are up to date, which is worth checking early in the pregnancy.
What are the seven transferable days?
Part of the one hundred and five days can be transferred to the child's father, or where he is absent to an alternate caregiver such as a relative or the mother's partner. This is separate from the father's own paternity leave entitlement.
Official sources and links
- gov.ph — official government portal