Benefit Amount and Duration
- A daily maternity benefit equivalent to 100% of the employee's present basic salary, allowances, and other benefits or their cash equivalents.
- Duration of 60 days for normal delivery, abortion, or miscarriage.
- Duration extended to 78 days in case of caesarian delivery.
Notification and Payment Procedures
- Employee must notify employer of pregnancy and probable childbirth date.
- Employer transmits this notice to the Social Security System (SSS) following rules and regulations.
- Employer advances payments in two equal installments within 30 days after filing the maternity leave application.
Limitation on Benefits and Reimbursement
- Maternity benefits payment bars claiming sickness benefits for the same 60-day period related to the same childbirth, abortion, or miscarriage.
- Benefits are payable only for the first four deliveries after March 13, 1973.
- SSS reimburses the employer 100% of the advanced maternity benefits upon satisfactory proof.
Employer Responsibilities and Penalties
- If employer fails to remit maternity contributions or notify SSS, the employer must pay SSS damages equal to the employee’s maternity benefits.
- SSS shall pay such amount to the entitled employee.
Preservation of Existing Benefits
- The Act does not diminish existing maternity benefits under other laws or collective bargaining agreements.
Repeal and Effectivity
- Inconsistent laws, orders, and issuances are repealed or modified.
- The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or two national newspapers, whichever occurs first.