Paternity Leave Act of 1996 (RA 8187)

Approved on June 11, 1996

Meaning of paternity leave
- Leave credits granted to a married male employee to allow him to earn compensation for 7 working
days without reporting for work, provided that his spouse has delivered a child, had a miscarriage, or
an abortion for the purpose of lending support to his wife during her period of recovery and nursing of
the newborn child
- the benefits granted to a married male employee allowing him not to report for work for seven (7)
days but continues to earn the compensation therefor, on the condition that his spouse has delivered a
child or suffered a miscarriage for purposes of enabling him to effectively lend support to his wife in
her period of recovery and/or in the nursing of the newly-born child.
Coverage of the law
- Married male employees in the private and public sectors.

Duration of the paternity leave

- 7 days with full pay (available only for the first 4 deliveries)

Conditions for entitlement to paternity leave

1. Employed at the time of the delivery of his child
2. Notified his employer of the pregnancy of his wife and her expected date of delivery
3. Wife has given birth, suffers a miscarriage or an abortion
4. Availed in first 4 deliveries by his lawful spouse

Penal sanctions
- Penalty or fine not exceeding P25,000 or imprisonment of not less than 30 days nor more than 6
months
- If violation is committed by a juridical entity, the penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed on
the entity’s responsible officers

Solo Parents’ Welfare Act (RA 8972)

Approved on November 7, 2000

Definition of solo parent

1. A woman who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes against chastity even without a final
conviction of the offender
2. Parent left solo or alone due to the death of the spouse
3. Parent left solo or alone while spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal conviction for
at least one year
4. Parent left solo or alone due to the physical/mental incapacity of spouse as certified by a public
medical practitioner
5. Parent left solo or alone due to the legal separation or de facto separation at least one year
6. Parent left solo or alone due to the declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage
7. Parent left solo or alone due to the abandonment of spouse for at least one year
8. Unmarried mother/father
9. Any other person who solely provides parental care and support to a child or children
10. Any family member who assumes the responsibility of head of family as a result of death,
abandonment, disappearance or prolonged absence of the parent/solo parent

Benefits available to solo parent

1. Comprehensive package of social development and welfare services
a. Livelihood development services
b. Counselling services
c. Parent effectiveness services
d. Critical incidence stress debriefing
e. Special projects for individuals in need of protection

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