What are the Paternity Benefits in the Philippines?
Are you a first-time mother wondering if your husband can also file a leave once your little one arrives? Or are you a soon-to-be-dad who wishes to familiarize himself with the paternal benefits being offered by the Philippine government? Or someone just curious to know if our men workforce here in the Philippines who are soon-to-be-daddies also has the same benefits as the women employees or future mothers? In this article, we will be talking purely about the Paternal benefits.
In some countries, paternal benefits and leaves are extended to same-sex partners, as stated in R.A. 8187 and R.A. 1120, and to those who adopted a child. Here, in the Philippines, it is almost the same.
An eligible person for a paternity benefit does not necessarily mean to be granted to only just a biological man or to the husband. There are many established grounds for consideration wherein the Paternity Leave Act of 1996 has been imposed.
Truly, the paternal benefits and leaves are helping out a lot of men and those who carry the responsibilities of being a father to children in aspects beyond societal but also economic and well-being.
PH Paternity Leave
Someone who is expected to be a soon-to-be-father to a newborn child or children is entitled to a seven (7)-day leave. Although whether it will be paid or not depends on their nature of work or the hierarchy of their current job post or their position at work.
Surveys and research have supported the fact that men are most likely to file and use their paternity leave if it will be paid as compared to those who are not granted paid leaves.
Those who are able to be granted both paid paternity leave days and a return to work afterward have shown great and positive results in terms of social stability and stress management, they are usually the ones with low levels of depression and illness risks as they are feeling well-supported by their company and management while they navigate and venture into Fatherhood.
They also show low risks of being deeply indulged or addicted to vices such as smoking and alcohol drinking which in turn yields good social effects to the family they are in.
The Paternity Leave Act of 1996 encompasses even those whose partners and wives have experienced miscarriages and or chose to have an abortion on top of those who had successful childbirth. Although abortion is still not legal in the Philippines, this Act made sure that it will be inclusive to support all possible circumstances.
Fathers and those who are eligible in filing a paternity leave can avail of this benefit before, during, and after childbirth and even the adoption of children under 7 years of age. See below the summarized Type of Paternity Leave and the entitlement details that come with it:
| Type of Leave | Entitlement |
|---|---|
| Paternity LeaveMiscarriageAdoption Leave of children 7 years of age and below | Seven (7) days, fully paid up to four births |
| Maternity leave transferable to Fathers | Up to seven (7) days |
| Leave for solo parents given the below circumstances: Rape, even without a final conviction of the offender imprisonment of spouse, death of spouse, being a window legal separation/annulment since divorce is not yet legal in the PhilippinesAbandonment of spouse or spouse being absent for a longer period of time unmarried mother or rather anyone from a family assuming the roles of a parent as a result of the death, abandonment, incapacity, disappearance or prolonged absence of parent/s | Seven (7) days at full play plus other expanded solo parent benefits mandated by the national government such as flexible schedule at work, non-discrimination and additional special leaves for solo parents to attend to their child or children during special milestone events of the said child or children (i.e. Graduation, school event/s, etc.) |
Application Process
In contrast with maternity leave applications, paternity leave is not routed through SSS but should be directly communicated to the company HR or employer.
Although the process may vary depending on the internal ground rules of each company, here are the general steps in applying for a Paternity Leave:
Step 1: Inform your company’s HR with details on your partner’s pregnancy and identified due date.
Step 2: Fill out correctly and completely the Paternity Leave Application form is given by your employer. Make sure that all details are updated and all true.
Step 3: Submit the accomplished Paternity Leave Application form to your company’s HR together with a PSA copy of your Marriage Certificate.
Note: Bring with you a copy of your partner or wife’s latest ultrasound as there are instances that HR or your employers might ask you to submit one so it is always better to come in prepared.
Step 4: If you wish to file for the additional seven (7) days extension, prepare the SSS Paternity Leave requirements by submitting the completed SSS Allocation of the Maternity Leave Credits form and Maternity Notification form.
What are the Requirements?
Truth is, paternal leave and benefits are still not as generous as compared to maternity leave days and benefits.
This is because of the gender roles being considered in a paternal country such as the Philippines wherein they see men and fathers in general as strong and should be the ones to make the money and further hone a home.
While on the other hand, mothers keep on looking after and caring for children at home making the set of requirements vary depending on the grounds set by the soon-to-be-daddy’s employers or company management but one thing in common are the requirements to:
- Fill out the Paternal Leave Application Form
- Submit the PSA copy of the Live Birth Certificate of the child or children
- For married couples, submission of the PSA copy of the Certificate of Marriage
Document 2 and document 3 can be easily accessed thru the online servicing platform of the Philippine Statistics Authority, click this link to request for copies of the needed documents should you wish to get them now → Get your child’s Certificate of Live birth and your Marriage Certificate here!
Eligibility
Paternity benefits can be automatically granted to the following:
- Employed individual, regardless of employment contract terms (i.e. regular, probationary, casual, seasonal, fixed-term)
- Employed at the time of childbirth
- Has a wife who is pregnant/ has given birth/ experienced miscarriage
- Legally married to a pregnant wife
- Living with a legitimate wife in one household
Note: Inform your management or employer in a timely manner regarding the expected date of your wife’s delivery to your child (not applicable to those who miscarried)
Do you know anyone who you think is eligible to apply for paternity leave? Share this article right away!
Do Fathers Really Need to Take a Leave, too?
Definitely! Research and studies have shown that babies who have both parents present during their first few months are believed to have strong social and emotional bonds with people.
It is not only beneficial to the newborn and to the father but it is more beneficial to the mothers as they have additional support in rearing for her newly born child.
It results in a lower risk of experiencing what we call the postpartum blues in women which may further develop into postpartum depression in the long run if left ignored and not addressed medically.
Taking leave during these times also helps the couple to grow together as parents and attend not only to their child’s needs but to each others’ needs, too.
Parenthood is never easy especially if a parent is navigating it alone. Having a strong helping hand to carry a baby along the way and see him or she grow is very nurturing for a mother.
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