ANGELES CITY – Pampanga 1st District Rep. Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. is pushing for the grant of postpartum depression leave to female employees in the public and private sectors who have been clinically-diagnosed with the condition, through House Bill No. 10857, filed on Aug. 24.
Under the proposed bill, a qualified female worker who is clinically-diagnosed with postpartum depression shall be granted 30 days of paid postpartum depression leave to obtain appropriate treatment, counseling, medical care, rest, and recuperation. The postpartum depression leave shall be granted upon submission of a medical certificate issued by a duly-licensed physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist.
Said leave shall be a distinct statutory benefit and shall be separate from and in addition to the maternity leave benefits already granted under RA 11210 (105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law), and shall not be deducted from the 30-day extension without pay that may be availed under RA 11210.
Likewise, HB 10587 also provides for the grant of a paid support leave of seven days for the child’s father or the female worker’s qualified partner who is employed in the private or public sector to allow them time to provide care and support to their female partner who has been clinically-diagnosed with postpartum depression.
“Women who are part of the workforce often face a ‘double burden’ since, culturally, they are still seen as the primary care providers. They not only have to deal with the pressures of work, when they return home, they are still expected to take care of the housework and the children,” Lazatin said.
“For some, this burden may prove to be too much and develop into a clinical condition. Our aim with this proposed bill is to provide support for those individuals,” he added.
Postpartum depression is a serious mental-health condition that may affect a woman’s ability to care for herself and her child and may require professional treatment, counseling, medical monitoring, and family support. Its symptoms may arise after childbirth and may persist beyond the period ordinarily needed for physical recovery.
On Aug. 13, Lazatin also filed House Bill No. 10771, to be known as the “Menstrual Leave Act,” that entitles female employees in the public and private sectors to a maximum of three days of menstrual leave with pay every month to allow them to recover from the discomforts of health conditions associated with menstruation. Such leave shall be non-cumulative and non-convertible to cash.
HB 10771 states that any female employee who avails herself of menstrual leave shall not be subjected to any form of discrimination, harassment or retaliation in the workplace, and demotion or termination.
“Women contribute significantly to the growth of the Philippine economy, especially those who are part of the labor force; however, they may experience health-related setbacks, including menstrual pain and other menstrual-related medical conditions, which may affect their ability to perform their work,” Lazatin said. Team Lazatin Media