CEDAW/C/PHI/4 English Page 13 (2) Republic Act 7882 provides credit assistance to women engaging in micro and cottage business enterprise. Recently, the Implementing Rules and Regulations for this law were amended, increasing the maximum loanable amount for women in microenterprises from P1.5 million to P5 million. (3) Republic Act 7877 declares sexual harassment to be unlawful in employment, education or the training environment. This law recognizes that sexual harassment indeed exists. Women who are no longer afraid to speak out and a society which is already aware clamoured for this law. (4) Republic Act 7688 gives representation to women in the Social Security Commission. Out of nine seats in the Board of Commissioners, two are reserved for women, one each representing labour and management. (5) Republic Act 7655 increases the minimum wage of domestic househelpers, who are mostly women. (6) Republic Act 7600 promotes and protects breast-feeding by requiring government and private health institutions with obstetrical services to adapt a policy of rooming-in. (7) Republic Act 7322 increases maternity benefits of women workers in the private sector. (8) Republic Act 7305, known as the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers, grants additional benefits (i.e. subsistence pay, laundry allowance, hazard pay etc.) for public health workers, the majority of whom are women. (9) Republic Act 7160, or the Local Government Code, provides seats for women in all of the 1,600 local legislative assemblies nationwide. This is to increase the participation of women in political and public life. However, immediate implementation of the law is undergoing problems with the delay of the passage of its enabling law. (10) Republic Act 6981 institutionalizes the Witness Protection, Security and Benefits Program at the Department of Justice. The programme benefits not only women witnesses but also women victims, because vital witnesses to crimes committed against them are afforded security and protection against harassment and threats from offenders or perpetrators of the crimes. (11) Republic Act 6972 mandates the establishment of day-care centres in every barangay. However, the majority of the barangays have not implemented this for lack of funds and lack of support from local officials. (12) Republic Act 6955 bans marriage matching for a fee and exportation of domestic workers to certain countries which cannot ensure the protection of their rights. /...