 On March 9, 2015 the Quezon City Council held the 2nd all-women session in time for the National Women's Month Celebration, with the theme: "Juana, Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw Na!”
Led by the Presiding Officer, Vice Mayor Ma. Josefina G. Belmonte, female legislators took charge of the 55th Regular Session with Councilor Dorothy A. Delarmente as the designated Majority Floor Leader. Councilor Jessica Castelo Daza recited the opening prayer; Councilor Raquel S. Malañgen, the Councilor’s Creed; and Councilor Diorella Maria G. Sotto, the closing prayer.
During the Second Reading, Councilor Julienne Alyson Rae V. Medalla delivered a sponsorship speech for Proposed Resolution No. PR19CC-363, which urges the Congress to amend Republic Act No. 8187, also known as the “Paternity Leave Act of 1996,” by extending the paternity leave for 14 days in case of Cesarean Section delivery.
She emphasized the necessity of amending the current law, which only grants a 7-day leave with full pay to all married male employees working in the private and public sectors. Since a Cesarean Section operation involves delivering a baby via abdominal incision, thereby entailing a longer period of hospital stay and recovery for the mother, the resolution seeks to underscore the crucial role fathers play in caring for their wives and newborn child.
At present, the 19th City Council is composed of 38 members, 11 of which are women including the Vice Mayor.
Proclamation No. 224 s. 1988 declares the first week of March each year as Women’s Week and March 8 as Women’s Rights and International Peace Day while Republic Act 6949 s. 1990 declares March 8 of every year as National Women’s Day. Another law, Proclamation No. 227 s. 1988, provides for the observance of the Month of March as Women’s Role in History Month. |
