rvould enslrre the ghts of working women who are currently pregnzrnt or who have recently given birth. These rights include erititlement to paid materniq leave and matemal and child healtl care. As for materuity leave, the Con!€ntion sets the minimum maternity leave to a period offourteen (r4) weeks.tt'The Philippines, despite not ratif)'iDg the convention, is a member state to the International labour Organization (ILO). In Recommendation No. 191, ILO encouraged member states to expand the maternity leave pe od to "at least 18 weeks".,, Eighty-five percent (85%) ofthe count es across the world provide a maternity leavc ofat least twelve (tz) weeks or more. Ofthese, fifty-three percent (53%) comply with the standard on matemity leave set by the Convertion while nineteen percent (19%) provide a matemity leave of mole than eighteen (r8) weeks.', In thc Asia and the Pacific, eighty-two percent (82%) of the countries provide for at least 12 weeks of maternit-v leave. Ilalf of these countries require rz 13 weeks of maternity leave while twent_v-nine percent (29%) stipulate 14-17 weeks. On the other hand, eighteen percent (18%) ofthe countries in thc Asia and the Pacific provide for less than r2 weeks ofmaternity leave, namely - Brunei-Darussalam, Malaysia, Nepal, PapuaNew Guinea, and the Philippines.,s Shldies show that women are seventy-three percent (73%) less likell'to need a caesarean section if they are on maternity leave during their ninth month of pregnancy. In addition, when women immediately return to work after giving birth, they are less likely to establish breastfeeding within the first month.q Breastfeeding is a great source of nutrition for the development ofthe baby. Should the e).?ansion of the maternity leave period be approved, mothers will be granted more time to breastfeed their babies and bond with them. Mothers will also benefit from the additional time to breastfeed their bahies. Studies show that through breastfeeding, the uterus returns to its normal size faster, blood loss is lessened, and the risk of cir:rcer is reduced.'s Further, if mothers are able to provide the breastmilk for their babies, families will no longer have to buy milk formulas. Resulting in more budget for the families'other needs. In liew of the foregoing, the Commission respectfully submits its comments and recommendations on House Bill 4rr3: 1. 2. The bill, though $eatly appreciated, has no teeth to implement its provisions due to the lack of a penal pror.ision. Such being the case, the Commission recommends the adoption of a penal provision to ensure compliance to the provisions ofthe bill and redress in case ofviolation. l.or thc formulation ofthe implementing rules and regulations unaler Sec. 15 of the bill, the Commission on Human Rights, as the GenderOmbud, shouldbe consulted together with the Civil Service Commission, Department of Labor and Employment, Govemment Service Ins,,anie System, and the Social Senice System. (l)ot the ILO Convention No.183 Matern ity Protection Conventaon, 20OO (No. 183 ). of R€commendation No. 191-Maternity Protection Re.ommendation, 20Oo (No. 191) 12lnternational Labour Organization. (2013). Wor.king Conditions Lows Repod 2012. Available at hltp://w!vw lo d.!/!1cmsp5/Frouos/oubhc/--ed orolec!/r. plfrlli!.1: 10 Arti€le 4 ll Section l 13 rbid. 14 tonger Paid Maternity Leave almost a Realityfor Pinoy Mothers. Available at ht!orl/www.Dchrd.dost.eov.oh/inder.ohD/news/librarv h.ilth n.ws/s190loneer oaLd saternitv l.av. almost 15 Longer Paid Maternity teave Pushed for WorkinB Moms. Ava lable at 3