Support Programs For Expecting Mothers In The Philippines Benefits Donations And Charitable Initiatives

Expecting mothers in the Philippines have access to various forms of support through government benefits, corporate social responsibility programs, and charitable initiatives. While traditional product samples and brand freebies may be limited, the country offers substantial assistance through maternity benefits, healthcare coverage, donation programs, and support services designed to alleviate financial burdens and ensure the well-being of mothers and their babies.

Government Maternity Benefits

The Philippine government has established comprehensive maternity benefits to support expecting mothers through various agencies and programs. These benefits provide crucial financial and healthcare support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

Expanded Maternity Leave Benefits

Philippine law provides expecting mothers with substantial maternity leave entitlements. Under the Expanded Maternity Care Leave (Republic Act 11210), female workers are entitled to 105 days of paid maternity leave with 100 percent of their average daily salary credit. This benefit applies regardless of the type of delivery, whether normal or cesarean section.

Additionally, mothers may request a leave extension of up to 30 days of unpaid leave if they require more time to recover after childbirth. The legislation has removed previous limitations that restricted maternity leave benefits to a maximum of four pregnancies, meaning all eligible women can now avail maternity benefits with each pregnancy.

The policy also includes provisions for flexibility in leave allocation. Mothers can allocate up to 7 days of their maternity leave to their partner, spouse, or another caregiver within the 4th degree of consanguinity. If fathers avail of this provision, they can have up to 14 days of paid leave to support their partners after childbirth.

PhilHealth Maternity Benefits

PhilHealth, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, offers several maternity benefit packages designed to provide comprehensive healthcare support to pregnant members. These benefits are available to all Filipinos, including those with dual citizenship or naturalized individuals, under the Universal Health Care Act.

To be eligible for PhilHealth maternity benefits, members must meet certain conditions: - Must not have used the 45-day regular benefit limit - Must have been admitted to a PhilHealth-accredited facility for at least 24 hours - Must have been checked and assisted by a PhilHealth-accredited doctor

Notably, PhilHealth members can still avail maternity benefits even if they do not regularly pay monthly premiums, as long as they have paid the required minimum number of contributions.

PhilHealth offers several maternity benefit packages:

1. Maternity Care Package (MCP): Provides comprehensive coverage for pregnancy-related care.

2. Normal Spontaneous Delivery (NSD) Package: Specifically covers normal delivery cases.

3. Antenatal Care Package (ACP): Includes prenatal consultations and essential health services for expecting mothers.

4. Newborn Care Package: Valued at PHP 2,950, this package includes:

   • Newborn care supplies and essentials (vitamins, eye ointment, vaccines for hepatitis B and BCG)
   • Newborn screening test
   • Newborn hearing screening test
   • Attending physician's fee

Postpartum care is also supported, allowing mothers to have a follow-up check-up within 3-7 days after giving birth.

Social Security System (SSS) Maternity Benefits

The Social Security System (SSS) provides additional maternity support to eligible female members who are unable to work due to childbirth, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy, including cases of stillbirth.

To qualify for SSS maternity benefits, members must: - Notify their employer (for private workers), agency head (for government employees), or directly inform SSS through the My.SSS portal or SSS Mobile App (for OFWs, self-employed, and unemployed members) regarding their pregnancy. This requires providing evidence of pregnancy such as an ultrasound report, medical certificate, or pregnancy test. - Self-employed or voluntary members, including OFW members who are separated from employment, must inform SSS directly.

Corporate Social Responsibility Programs

Several companies in the Philippines have implemented programs to support expecting mothers through donations and community initiatives.

Mama's Choice "Buy 1, Give 1" Campaign

Mama's Choice, a leading brand in Southeast Asia for safe, effective, and natural products for mothers and babies, launched a "Buy 1, Give 1" campaign in March 2024 in observance of National Women's Month and International Women's Day.

During the entire month of March, Mama's Choice committed to donating one Mama's Choice Stretch Mark Cream or Mama's Choice Stretch Mark Serum for every unit sold to Grace To Be Born Maternity Home and Nursery. This nonprofit organization has been providing a safe and loving environment for pregnant unwed mothers and children born into challenging circumstances since its foundation in 2009. As of the campaign announcement, the Pasig-based maternity home had helped 355 families in the Philippines.

According to Adeline Djohan, regional head of branding for Mama's Choice Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore, "Our collaboration with Grace To Be Born Maternity Home and Nursery is not only a way for Mama's Choice to give back to the community, but to also give our community an opportunity to support fellow mamas in need. The 'Buy 1, Give 1' initiative exemplifies inclusivity by getting all pregnant mamas involved, whether as a giver or a receiver."

Charitable Initiatives for Expecting Mothers

Several charitable organizations in the Philippines focus on providing support to expecting mothers, particularly those facing financial challenges.

Hunger Free Philippines "Meals for Moms" Program

Hunger Free Philippines operates a "Meals for Moms" program designed to support mothers facing financial difficulties. The program recognizes that mothers endure countless sleepless nights, relentless worries, and physical strains for their children and families, and aims to provide one less thing for them to worry about.

The process involves: 1. Gathering donations to purchase groceries 2. Having volunteers prepare and pack the groceries 3. Distributing the groceries, with priority given to pregnant and nursing mothers

The organization emphasizes that lack of financial resources can be especially stressful for mothers living in extreme poverty, and providing meals to growing families presents significant challenges. Donations to the program empower Hunger Free Philippines to provide meals to mothers and children across the Philippines, particularly around Mother's Day, to make them feel special and ensure they receive the nourishment they need.

Individuals can support the program by subscribing to the organization's email communications to stay updated about initiatives and donation opportunities. The organization values privacy and assures subscribers that their information will never be shared with third parties, and they can unsubscribe at any time.

Accessing Government Benefits

For expecting mothers looking to access government benefits, proper registration and documentation are essential.

PhilHealth Membership Registration

To access PhilHealth maternity benefits, women must first become PhilHealth members. Those who are not yet registered can file for membership by:

1. Downloading and filling out the PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF), which may be saved in PDF or JPEG format.
2. Sending the accomplished form via email to the appropriate PhilHealth address.
3. Using the email subject format: RegisterNameCity/Province/Region

After completing these steps, the PhilHealth number will be sent to the registered email address. Once registered, members can then proceed to avail themselves of the various maternity benefit packages offered by PhilHealth.

SSS Maternity Benefit Claims

For SSS maternity benefits, eligible members must notify the appropriate authorities as previously mentioned and provide required documentation of their pregnancy. The benefits include the 105-day paid maternity leave provided under Republic Act 11210.

Conclusion

While traditional free samples and brand freebies specifically targeting expecting mothers in the Philippines may be limited through the sources provided, the country offers substantial support through government benefits, corporate donation programs, and charitable initiatives. Expecting mothers can access comprehensive healthcare coverage through PhilHealth packages, substantial paid maternity leave through SSS, and additional support through corporate social responsibility programs like Mama's Choice's "Buy 1, Give 1" campaign and charitable initiatives such as Hunger Free Philippines' "Meals for Moms" program.

These support systems address the financial, healthcare, and nutritional needs of expecting mothers, helping to alleviate some of the challenges associated with pregnancy and childbirth. For mothers seeking additional support, exploring these government programs, corporate initiatives, and charitable organizations can provide valuable resources during their pregnancy journey.

Sources

1. Mama's Choice "Buy 1, Give 1" Campaign

2. Philippine Government Maternity Benefits

3. Hunger Free Philippines "Meals for Moms" Program