Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno has filed a measure seeking to extend paternity leave benefits in the Philippines to up to 105 days, aiming to strengthen family support systems and promote shared parenting responsibilities.
House Bill No. 9891, or the Paternity and Parental Leave Act (PAPA Leave Act), proposes to significantly expand the current seven-day paternity leave policy, citing the need for greater paternal involvement during the critical early stages of child development.
Diokno said the proposal recognizes the “irreplaceable role of fathers” in child-rearing and seeks to promote responsible parenthood, gender equality, and stronger family bonds.
Under the bill, eligible fathers would be entitled to up to 90 days of paid paternity leave following childbirth. In cases involving miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy, fathers would be granted 60 days of paid leave.
The measure also provides an additional 15 days of paid parental leave, which may be used within one year after childbirth, either continuously or in separate periods.
In a social media post, Diokno emphasized the need to reassess the current seven-day entitlement, questioning whether it is sufficient and humane for new fathers.
“Pitong araw lang ang paternity leave sa ngayon. Sapat at makatao ba ’yun?” he said, underscoring the importance of allowing fathers more time to support both the mother and newborn.
The proposal also includes protections against discrimination, ensuring that employees who avail of the benefit cannot be terminated, demoted, or penalized. It further stipulates that Social Security System (SSS) reimbursement would cover 100% of paternity leave benefits initially advanced by employers to ease the burden on businesses.
Diokno also noted that the measure covers all fathers, including those who are not married to the child’s mother, and warned that failure to provide proper care during leave could be subject to penalties under the Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) law.
The bill is part of broader efforts in Congress to modernize parental leave policies and improve child and family welfare in the country.
