In line with the continuing efforts of John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) – Gender and Development (GAD), an Employee Awareness Seminar was held at the Venus Parkview Hotel, Baguio City, which focused on the discussion of various laws that needs to be reiterated to the employees.
Ruby Verceles of the Civil Service Commission-CAR on Expanded Maternity Leave Benefits emphasized that a one-hundred five (105) days leave credit is given to women in the public and private sector for live childbirth, regardless of the mode of delivery. In her discussion, worth noting, is that the covered employee may allocate up to seven (7) days of her maternity leave benefits to the child’s father regardless of whether they are married. Further, the law also grants additional fifteen (15) days paid leave if the female worker qualifies as a solo parent under the Solo Parent Act of 2000.
Atty. Dexter Diwas of the Public Attorney’s Office warned everyone against violations regarding the Anti-Sexual Harassment Law by defining the said crime and emphasizing penalties thereof. He said that sexual harassment is in itself a gateway to the commission of other crimes like simple seduction, qualified seduction, acts of lasciviousness, rape, adultery and concubinage.
Dr. Celia Brillantes of the City Health Service Office discussed HIV/AIDS through a situationer where she said that our country is one of the nine globally increasing countries with reported cases of HIV infections. Baguio City, based on statistics from the Health Office, has thirty-six (36) reported HIV cases every day starting in January 2019. Due to these alarming statistics, she encouraged everyone not to be complacent. She further explained that the infection is transmitted through blood transfusion, prenatal transmission and sexual intercourse.
Ms. Therese Oriña and Ms. Mercy Bautista on separate dates shared their insights on the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law, which introduced spacing of giving birth to children so that mortality rates of pregnant mothers will decrease and that parents can properly nurture their children. They also tackled the different uses of contraception while clarifying that they do not promote abortion of any kind.
This awareness session is a product of JHMC’s commitment towards Gender and Development aiming to continually evolve through the implementation of future GAD Plans and Programs.
With the leadership of the JHMC Vice President and COO who also acts as the Chairperson of the Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS), Jane Theresa G. Tabalingcos, JHMC continuously promotes a gender responsive workplace by empowering its women employees and ensuring equal opportunities for men and women. END
