Hontiveros marks birthday with working women and urban poor, delivers "good news" on Expanded Maternity Leave Law

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday spent her birthday with working women and informal settlers in Navotas City, where she led the opening of a medical mission and discussed the recently signed Expanded Maternity Leave Law.

Hontiveros, who is the principal sponsor and author of the measure in the Senate, said the law provides 105 maternity leave days for working mothers, an additional 15 leave days for solo mothers and doubles the current paternity leave days. The lawmaker also said that even full-time mothers can avail of the law.

"Ako ay masaya at kasama ko kayong lahat sa pagdiriwang ng aking kaarawan. May masaya po akong balita. Ganap na pong batas ang Expanded Maternity Leave Law na nagbibigay ng 105 maternity leave days sa mga nanay. Kung ikaw ay solo mom, may dagdag ka pang 15 days! Sa mga tatay naman, doble na po ang inyong paternity leave days. Pwede po itong pakinabangan din ng mga full-time na nanay. Ang kailangan lamang ay voluntary na paghuhulog sa SSS," Hontiveros addressing the crowd.

Hontiveros, who turned 53 today, also discussed the Universal Health Care Law. She explained that, under the measure, Filipinos will no longer have to worry about hefty expenses in hospitalization and medical needs, thanks to the new health insurance program and better access to health services provided by the law.

"These are just some of the important reforms in government that we have successfully pushed for, to help our people improve their daily lives. It is a victory for all us, especially for the Filipino family," Hontiveros said.

"Pagdating po sa kalusugan, naniniwala po ako na dapat lahat tayo ay pantay-pantay. Uunlad ang ating bansa kung tayong lahat ay nasa mabuting kalusugan. Tandaan natin: Kapag may Healthy Pinoy at Pinay, may Healthy 'Pinas," she added.

The medical mission was hosted by the Diocese of Caloocan, the Navotas Fishport Authority, the City Health Office of Navotas, the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, the Barangay Council of North Bay Boulevard -North Navotas, Market 3 Women's Organization, Fishport Compound Neighborhood Association, Fishport of Navotas Neighborhood Association, Fishport Operators and Drivers Association, SAPIPA and different informal settler organizations. Around 600 indigent individuals received free medical assistance.