Published January 19, 2021, 10:20 PM
The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading a bill expanding the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000 granting additional benefits for solo parents and their children.
Approval came after the plenary registered a 208 “yes” and 0 “no” votes on House Bill 8097 which will amend Republic Act 8972 or the “Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2020.”
HB 8097 represents 21 legislative proposals that were consolidated by the House Committee on Revision of Laws chaired by Zambales Rep. Cheryl Deloso Montalla.
Among the authors are Deputy Speakers Mikee Romero (1PACMAN Partylist); DV Savellano (PDP-Laban, Ilocos Sur); Loren Legarda (NPC, Antique) and Ferdinand Hernandez (PDP-Laban, South Cotabato) and Reps. Alfred Vargas (PDP-Laban, Quezon City); Jay Jay Suarez (PDP-Laban, Quezon); Eric Pineda (1PACMAN Partylist); Alberto Pacquiao (OFW Family); Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales (PDP-Laban, Pampanga); Rida Robes (NUP, San Jose del Mo
(JANSEN ROMERO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Authored by the six-man Makabayan bloc, HB 7909 or the “Paid Pandemic Leave Law of 2020” also provides a maximum 60-day leave for workers placed under ‘floating status.” They will be paid 80 percent of their daily pay during leave period.
Also provided in the bill is a guarantee of security of tenure for workers who avail of the leave benefits. They shall also be barred from being demoted by employers.
The additional leaves shall not be deducted from sick or vacation leave credits imposed by Labor Code of the Philippines or provided under the collective bargaining agreement between the labor union and management.