REPUBLIC ACT NO.
8972 any solo parent whose income is above the poverty threshold shall enjoy the benefits mentioned in
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO SOLO PARENTS AND THEIR
CHILDREN, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines Congress assembled:
Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Solo Parents' Welfare Act of 2000."
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote the family as the foundation of
the nation, strengthen its solidarity and ensure its total development. Towards this end, it shall develop a
comprehensive program of services for solo parents and their children to be carried out by the Department
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of
Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), the National Housing Authority (NHA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and
other related government and nongovernment agencies.
Section 3. Definition of Terms. - Whenever used in this Act, the following terms shall mean as follows:
(a) "Solo parent" - any individual who falls under any of the following categories:
(1) A woman who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes against chastity even without a final
conviction of the offender: Provided, That the mother keeps and raises the child;
(2) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to death of spouse;
(3) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood while the spouse is detained or is serving
sentence for a criminal conviction for at least one (1) year;
(4) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to physical and/or mental incapacity
of spouse as certified by a public medical practitioner;
(5) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to legal separation or de
facto separation from spouse for at least one (1) year, as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of
the children;
(6) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to declaration of nullity or annulment
of marriage as decreed by a court or by a church as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of the
children;
(7) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to abandonment of spouse for at
least one (1) year;
(8) Unmarried mother/father who has preferred to keep and rear her/his child/children instead of having
others care for them or give them up to a welfare institution;
(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 the death,
abandonment, disappearance or prolonged absence of the parents or solo parent.
A change in the status or circumstance of the parent claiming benefits under this Act, such that he/she is
no longer left alone with the responsibility of parenthood, shall terminate his/her eligibility for these
benefits.
(b) "Children" - refer to those living with and dependent upon the solo parent for support who are
unmarried, unemployed and not more than eighteen (18) years of age, or even over eighteen (18) years
but are incapable of self-support because of mental and/or physical defect/disability.
(c) "Parental responsibility" - with respect to their minor children shall refer to the rights and duties of the
parents as defined in Article 220 of Executive Order No. 209, as amended, otherwise known as the
"Family Code of the Philippines."
(d) "Parental leave" - shall mean leave benefits granted to a solo parent to enable him/her to perform
parental duties and responsibilities where physical presence is required.
(e) "Flexible work schedule" - is the right granted to a solo parent employee to vary his/her arrival and
departure time without affecting the core work hours as defined by the employer.
Section 4. Criteria for Support. - Any solo parent whose income in the place of domicile falls below the
poverty threshold as set by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and subject to the
assessment of the DSWD worker in the area shall be eligible for assistance: Provided, however, That
Sections 6, 7 and 8 of this Act.
Section 5. Comprehensive Package of Social Development and Welfare Services. - A comprehensive
package of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their families will be developed
by the DSWD, DOH, DECS, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, NHA and DILG, in coordination with local
government units and a nongovernmental organization with proven track record in providing services for
solo parents.
The DSWD shall coordinate with concerned agencies the implementation of the comprehensive package
of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their families. The package will initially
include:
(a) Livelihood development services which include trainings on livelihood skills, basic business
management, value orientation and the provision of seed capital or job placement.
(b) Counseling services which include individual, peer group or family counseling. This will focus on the
resolution of personal relationship and role conflicts.
(c) Parent effectiveness services which include the provision and expansion of knowledge and skills of
the solo parent on early childhood development, behavior management, health care, rights and duties of
parents and children.
(d) Critical incidence stress debriefing which includes preventive stress management strategy designed
to assist solo parents in coping with crisis situations and cases of abuse.
(e) Special projects for individuals in need of protection which include temporary shelter, counseling, legal
assistance, medical care, self-concept or ego-building, crisis management and spiritual enrichment.
Section 6. Flexible Work Schedule. - The employer shall provide for a flexible working schedule for solo
parents: Provided, That the same shall not affect individual and company productivity: Provided,
further, That any employer may request exemption from the above requirements from the DOLE on
certain meritorious grounds.
Section 7. Work Discrimination. - No employer shall discriminate against any solo parent employee with
respect to terms and conditions of employment on account of his/her status.
Section 8. Parental Leave. - In addition to leave privileges under existing laws, parental leave of not more
than seven (7) working days every year shall be granted to any solo parent employee who has rendered
service of at least one (1) year.
Section 9. Educational Benefits. - The DECS, CHED and TESDA shall provide the following benefits and
privileges:
(1) Scholarship programs for qualified solo parents and their children in institutions of basic, tertiary and
technical/skills education; and
(2) Nonformal education programs appropriate for solo parents and their children.
The DECS, CHED and TESDA shall promulgate rules and regulations for the proper implementation of
this program.
Section 10. Housing Benefits. - Solo parents shall be given allocation in housing projects and shall be
provided with liberal terms of payment on said government low-cost housing projects in accordance with
housing law provisions prioritizing applicants below the poverty line as declared by the NEDA.
Section 11. Medical Assistance. - The DOH shall develop a comprehensive health care program for solo
parents and their children. The program shall be implemented by the DOH through their retained hospitals
and medical centers and the local government units (LGUs) through their provincial/district/city/municipal
hospitals and rural health units (RHUs).
Section 12. Additional Powers and Functions of the DSWD. — The DSWD shall perform the following
additional powers and functions relative to the welfare of solo parents and their families:
(a) Conduct research necessary to: (1) develop a new body of knowledge on solo parents; (2) define
executive and legislative measures needed to promote and protect the interest of solo parents and their
children; and (3) assess the effectiveness of programs designed for disadvantaged solo parents and their
children;
(b) Coordinate the activities of various governmental and nongovernmental organizations engaged in
promoting and protecting the interests of solo parents and their children; and
(c) Monitor the implementation of the provisions of this Act and suggest mechanisms by which such
provisions are effectively implemented.

Section 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - An interagency committee headed by the DSWD, in
coordination with the DOH, DECS, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, NHA, and DILG is hereby established which
shall formulate, within ninety (90) days upon the effectivity of this Act, the implementing rules and
regulations in consultation with the local government units, nongovernment organizations and people's
organizations.

Section 14. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be
included in the budget of concerned government agencies in the General Appropriations Act of the year
following its enactment into law and thereafter.1awphil.net

Section 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, administrative orders or parts thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 16. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, other
provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 17. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation.
Approved.
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8187
AN ACT GRANTING PATERNITY LEAVE OF SEVEN (7) DAYS WITH FULL PAY TO ALL MARRIED
MALE EMPLOYEES IN THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS FOR THE FIRST FOUR (4)
DELIVERIES OF THE LEGITIMATE SPOUSE WITH WHOM HE IS COHABITING AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Paternity Leave Act of 1996".

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding any law, rules and regulations to the contrary, every married male employee
in the private and public sectors shall be entitled to a paternity leave of seven (7) days with full pay for
the first four (4) deliveries of the legitimate spouse with whom he is cohabiting. The male employee
applying for paternity leave shall notify his employer of the pregnancy of his legitimate spouse and the
expected date of such delivery.
For purposes, of this Act, delivery shall include childbirth or any miscarriage.

SECTION 3. Definition of Term. - For purposes of this Act, Paternity Leave refers to 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.

SECTION 4. The Secretary of Labor and Employment, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission
and the Secretary of Health shall, within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, issue such rules
and regulations necessary for the proper implementation of the provisions hereof.

SECTION 5. Any person, corporation, trust, firm, partnership, association or entity found violating this Act
or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder shall be punished by a fine not exceeding Twenty-
five thousand pesos (P25,000) or imprisonment of not less than thirty (30)days nor more than six (6)
months.
If the violation is committed by a corporation, trust or firm, partnership, association or any other entity, the
penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed on the entity's responsible officers, including, but not limited to,
the president, vice-president, chief executive officer, general manager, managing director or partner
directly responsible therefor.

SECTION 6. Nondiminution Clause. - Nothing in this Act shall be construed to reduce any existing
benefits of any form granted under existing laws, decrees, executive orders, or any contract agreement
or policy between employer and employee.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, issuances, or parts thereof
which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette
or in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation.
 July 26, 2010 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10151
AN ACT ALLOWING THE EMPLOYMENT OF NIGIIT WORKERS, THEREBY REPEALING
ARTICLES 130 AND 131 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NUMBER FOUR HUNDRED FORTY-TWO,
AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Article 130 of the Labor Code is hereby repealed.
Section 2. Article 131 of the Labor Code is hereby repealed.
Section 3. The subsequent articles in Book Three, Title III, Chapter I to Chapter IV of Presidential Decree
No. 442 are hereby renumbered accordingly.
Section 4. A new chapter is hereby inserted after Book Three, Title III of Presidential Decree No. 442, to
read as follows:
"Chapter V - "Employment of Night Workers
"Article 154. Coverage. - This chapter' shall apply to all persons, who shall be employed or permitted or
suffered to work at night, except those employed in agriculture, stock raising, fishing, maritime transport
and inland navigation, during a period of not less than seven (7) consecutive hours, including the interval
from midnight to five o'clock in the morning, to be determined by the Secretary of Labor and Employment,
after consulting the workers' representatives/labor organizations and employers.
"'Night worker' means any employed person whose work requires performance of a substantial number
of hours of night work which exceeds a specified limit. This limit shall be fixed by the Secretary of Labor
after consulting the workers' representatives/labor organizations and employers."
"Article 155. Health Assessment. - At their request, workers shall have the right to undergo a health
assessment without charge and to receive advice on how to reduce or avoid health problems associated
with their work:
"(a) Before taking up an assignment as a night worker;
"(b) At regular intervals during such an assignment; and
"(c) If they experience health problems during such, an assignment which are not caused by factors other
than the performance of night work.
"With the exception of a finding of unfitness for night work, the findings of such assessments shall not be
transmitted to others without the workers' consent and shall not be used to their detriment."
"Article 156. Mandatory Facilities. - Suitable first·aid facilities shall be made available for workers
performing night work, including arrangements where such workers, where necessary, can be taken
immediately to a place for appropriate treatment. The employers are likewise required to provide safe
and healthful working conditions and adequate or reasonable facilities such as sleeping or resting
quarters in the establishment and transportation from the work premises to the nearest point of their
residence subject to exceptions and guidelines to be provided by the DOLE."
"Article 157. Transfer. - Night workers who are certified as unfit for night work, due to health reasons,
shall be transferred, whenever practicable, to a similar job for which they are fit to work.
"If such transfer to a similar job is not practicable, these workers shall be granted the same benefits as
other workers who are unable to work, or to secure employment during such period.
"A night worker certified as temporarily unfit for night work shall be given the same protection against
dismissal or notice of dismissal as other workers who are prevented from working for reasons of health."
"Article 158. Women Night Workers. - Measures shall be taken to ensure that an alternative to night
work is available to women workers who would otherwise be called upon to perform such work:
"(a) Before and after childbirth, for a period of at least sixteen (16) weeks, which shall be divided between
the time before and after childbirth;
"(b) For additional periods, in respect of winch a medical certificate IS produced stating that said additional
periods are necessary for the health of the mother or child:
"(1) During pregnancy;
"(2) During a specified time beyond the period, after childbirth is fixed pursuant to subparagraph (a)
above, the length of which shall be determined by the DOLE after consulting the labor organizations and
employers.
"During the periods referred to in this article:
"(i) A woman worker shall not be dismissed or given notice of dismissal, except for just or authorized
causes provided for in this Code that are not connected with pregnancy, childbirth and childcare
responsibilities.
"(ii) A woman worker shall not lose the benefits regarding her status, seniority, and access to promotion
which may attach to her regular night work position.
"Pregnant women and nursing mothers may be allowed to work .at night only if a competent physician,
other than the company physician, shall certify their fitness to render night work, and specify, in the case
of pregnant employees, the period of the pregnancy that they can safely work.
"The measures referred to in this article may include transfer to day work where this is possible, the
provision of social security benefits or an extension of maternity leave.
"The provisions of this article shall not leave the effect of reducing the protection and benefits connected
with maternity leave under existing laws."
"Article 159. Compensation. The compensation for night workers in the form of working time, pay or
similar benefits shall recognize the exceptional nature of night work."
"Article 160. Social Services. - Appropriate social services shall be provided for night workers and, where
necessary, for workers performing night work."
"Article 161. Night Work Schedules. - Before introducing work schedules requiring the services of night
workers, the employer shall consult the workers' representatives/labor organizations concerned on the
details of such schedules and the forms of organization of night work that are best adapted to the
establishment and its personnel, as well as on the occupational health measures and social services
which are required. In establishments employing night workers, consultation shall take place regularly."
Section 5. The subsequent articles starting from Book Four, Title I, Chapter I of Presidential Decree No.
442 are hereby renumbered accordingly.
Section 6. Application. - The measures referred to in this chapter shall be applied not later than six (6)
months from the effectivity of this Act.
Section 7. Guidelines. - The DOLE shall promulgate appropriate regulations in addition to existing ones
to ensure protection, safety and welfare of night workers.
Section 8. Penalties. - Any violation of this Act, and the rules and regulations issued pursuant hereof
shall be punished with a fine of not less than Thirty thousand pesos (P30,000.00) nor more than Fifty
thousand pesos (P50,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months, or both, at the discretion
of the court. If the offense is committed by a corporation, trust, firm, partnership at association, or other
entity, the penalty shall be imposed upon the guilty officer or officers of such corporation, trust, firm,
partnership or association, or entity.
Section 9. Separability Clause. - If any portion of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the same shall not
affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions not affected thereby.
Section 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or other
issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby modified and repealed.
Section 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication
in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,