Senator Joel Villanueva has expressed strong support for proposed amendments to the Maternity Leave Law, which form part of the government’s 10-year labor roadmap, the Trabaho Para Sa Bayan (TPB) Plan 2025–2034. The reforms aim to support working mothers and promote gender equality in caregiving.
According to the TPB Plan, the amendments will allow reduced working hours after maternity leave, with flexible arrangements for mothers to return to full-time work depending on their situation.
“This proposed amendment aims to incorporate provisions for reduced working hours post-maternity leave, with flexible options to return to full-time work as circumstances allow,” the plan stated.
Villanueva, a key advocate of the TPB Plan, emphasized the importance of shared caregiving between parents.
“Kasabay po nito ay ang aming inisyatiba ipalaganap ang prinsipyong shared ang caregiving responsibilities ng mga magulang – ang tatay at nanay,” he said.
He also pointed out that women continue to face higher rates of unemployment and underemployment due to unequal caregiving responsibilities and persistent wage gaps.
“Hindi po dapat naiiwanang mas marami ang bilang ng mga kababaihang walang trabaho o kaya ay underemployed,” he added.
The Expanded Maternity Leave Act of 2019 currently grants 105 days of paid leave to working mothers, with an optional 30-day unpaid extension. Solo mothers are given an additional 15 days.
The TPB Plan also supports at least 10 proposed bills in Congress focused on creating a more inclusive, accessible, and family-friendly workplace.