Benefits for Pregnant Women in the Philippines

The Philippines offers several benefits and protections for pregnant women to help support them during pregnancy and childbirth. Here are some of the major benefits pregnant Filipino women can avail:

Maternity Leave

Republic Act 9710 or the Philippine Magna Carta of Women entitles pregnant women to 60 days of paid maternity leave. This covers the first four pregnancies. For the fifth and succeeding pregnancies, the maternity leave is 78 days. The maternity leave benefits include full pay and the same benefits she was receiving prior to the leave.

PhilHealth Maternity Care Package

PhilHealth provides a maternity care package that covers normal spontaneous delivery, cesarean section and complications arising from pregnancy and childbirth. As of 2020, the coverage amounts to ₱25,000-50,000 depending on the type of delivery or procedure. Both the mother and newborn child are covered under the package for a maximum of 60 days from the time of discharge from the hospital.

Under the MCP, eligible PhilHealth members can avail of the following benefits:

1. Prenatal care – This includes four prenatal visits with a qualified healthcare provider.
2. Normal delivery – This includes hospital room and board, professional fees for attending physicians and midwives, and other medical expenses related to childbirth.
3. Cesarean delivery – This includes hospital room and board, professional fees for attending physicians and midwives, and other medical expenses related to cesarean section delivery.
4. Newborn care – This includes newborn screening tests, vaccinations, and hospital room and board for the newborn.

To avail of the PhilHealth Maternity Care Package (MCP) benefits, a PhilHealth member must meet the following requirements:

1. The member must be pregnant at the time of availment of the MCP benefits.
2. The member must have made at least three months’ worth of contributions within the six-month period prior to the date of admission for delivery.
3. The member must have updated their PhilHealth membership information, which includes their personal information and contact details.
4. The member must not have availed of the MCP benefits within the same calendar year.
5. The member must be admitted to a PhilHealth-accredited hospital or birthing facility for delivery.
6. The member must present a valid PhilHealth ID or any valid government-issued ID upon admission.
7. The member must submit a PhilHealth Claim Form 1 (CF1) and other required documents, such as a copy of the member’s PhilHealth ID and proof of pregnancy, to the hospital or birthing facility upon admission.

It is important to note that the requirements for availing the MCP benefits may vary depending on the specific guidelines and policies of the hospital or birthing facility where the member will give birth. It is recommended that the member coordinate with their healthcare provider or the hospital/birthing facility where they plan to give birth to ensure that they have all the necessary requirements for availing the MCP benefits.

Maternity benefits from SSS

Pregnant women who are Social Security System (SSS) members are entitled to maternity benefits. The amount of maternity benefit depends on the woman’s average monthly salary credit. As of 2020, it ranges from ₱8,000 to ₱50,000. The SSS maternity package also covers up to four pregnancies.

SSS Maternity Requirements

To avail maternity benefits from the SSS, pregnant women need to meet the following requirements:

1. Be an employed, self-employed or voluntary member of the SSS. Maternity benefits are only granted to members with at least 3 monthly contributions within the 12-month period immediately before the semester of childbirth.
2. Notify your employer and the SSS regarding your pregnancy and expected date of childbirth. This should be done as early as possible but not later than 60 calendar days from the date of childbirth.
3. Submit the required documents which include:

• Maternity Notification Form (for employed members) – This should be accomplished by the company and submitted to SSS.

• Affidavit of Acknowledgment of Pregnancy (for self-employed/voluntary members) – This form should be submitted directly to SSS by the member.

• Obstetrical History/Clinical Summary (for members who gave birth) – This should be issued by a licensed physician within 60 calendar days from childbirth.

• Ultrasound Report – The ultrasound report should not be more than 3 months from date of filing the maternity benefit claim.

• Marriage Certificate (for married members) – In case the SSS has no record yet of your marriage.

• Husband’s Death/Disability/Retirement Certificate (if applicable)

4. The maternity benefit claim should be filed within 60 calendar days after date of childbirth. Filing beyond this period will require additional documents for late filing.

• Maternity Benefit Application – The maternity benefit application form should be filed personally by the female employee together with the required documents.

• Explanation Letter – Explaining the reason for late filing of maternity benefit claim.

5. Wait for SSS approval of your maternity benefit claim. The benefit payment usually takes around 20 to 30 days to be credited to the member’s account after approval of claim.

Here are some additional details about SSS maternity benefits:

• The maternity benefit is equivalent to 100% of the member’s average monthly salary credit. The minimum and maximum amounts are ₱8,000 and ₱50,000 respectively.

• The maternity benefit covers 4 pregnancies, including miscarriages and abortions. For the 5th and succeeding pregnancies, the female member shall be paid 75% of her average monthly salary credit.

• The maternity benefit shall be paid solely to the female member. In case of her death, the benefit shall be paid to her designated beneficiary.

• Daily maternity benefit is paid for 60 calendar days for normal delivery and 78 calendar days for caesarean delivery starting within 30 days from the date of childbirth.

• Female employees are also entitled to full pay from employers for the 60/78-day maternity leave period covered by RA 9710. The full pay shall be charged against the maternity benefit from SSS and PhilHealth. If the female employee received full pay from employer but did not receive benefit from SSS or PhilHealth, the company shall have the right to deduct the amount from future maternity benefit claims of the employee.

• A female member shall be disqualified from the maternity benefit if she engages in any work or physically demanding activities within the maternity leave period, except light exercises/household chores, or work during leave approved by a physician.

• The SSS maternity benefit can be claimed simultaneously with other benefits granted under RA 9710 (i.e. PhilHealth maternity care package). However, when a female member claimed and received maternity benefit for the same pregnancy from other sources (i.e. employer), the SSS shall pay only the difference between the full SSS maternity benefit and the amount received from other sources.

• Filing of fraudulent or false maternity notification/claim shall warrant legal actions and refund of maternity benefits improperly received by the member.

Special Leave Benefits for Women

RA 9710 also mandates a special leave of two weeks with full pay for women undergoing gynecological disorders. This includes, but is not limited to dilatation and curettage, and hysterectomy.

Additional Benefits

Some companies also provide additional benefits for pregnant employees such as paid pre-natal and post-natal medical care, medical insurance for dependents, and paid family planning services.

In summary, the government and private sector in the Philippines provide substantial benefits and support for pregnant women and new mothers. These benefits help ensure safer pregnancies, childbirth and postpartum recovery of women in the workforce.