A Senate bill aims to provide cash aid to pregnant informal workers in this pandemic.
Under Senate Bill No. 2175 filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros, beneficiaries will receive a one-time cash aid equivalent to the 22-day minimum wage in its region.
Funds will be drawn from excise taxes on sweetened beverages, alcohol, and tobacco products, and may be increased under the national budget.
According to the senator, there are studies that say the cash benefit is equivalent to 5 percent of the budget that will be needed for health programs to address poor breastfeeding in the country.
It is said to be a “necessary upgrade” for the Expanded Maternity Leave Law also promoted by Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality.
“Kung may maternity leave si working nanay, mas magkakaroon siya ng panahon para alagaan ang kalusugan at nutrisyon ng kanyang bagong-silang na anak. Mas may oras siya para sa breastfeeding at iba pang kailangan ni baby,” she said.
Cash aid for pregnant informal workers pushed in Senate
“Ang pagpasok sa informal economy ay nagpapakita ng katibayan ng ating mga kabarong nagdadalang tao. Ngunit huwag nating kalimutan na ang pagbubuntis ay isang katangi-tanging panahon sa buhay ng mga babae,” she added.
“Ang pagpapahalaga sa karapatan ng mga buntis ay pagtataguyod ng kinabukasan ng tahanang Pilipino.”
Aside from the aforementioned bill, some lawmakers are also pushing for P405 billion in aid for all 108 million Filipinos.
Meanwhile, the entire Philippine population will get “ayuda” or cash assistance worth P2,000 under the proposed Bayanihan 3 or Arise as One Act or Bayanihan.
The cash aid would be given to all Filipinos, the rich, the poor, and those in the middle class. It will be distributed in two tranches under the proposed P405.6-billion Bayanihan 3.
According to Reps. Sharon Garin and Stella Quimbo who were members of the technical working group that drafted the consolidated Bayanihan 3 bill, the fourth cash aid seeks to give the equitable distribution of assistance across the socio-economic classes.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.