For women, menstruation brings myriad of experiences in the body. There are some who can go through the day without any cramps and it is a business-as-usual time for them, however, there are some who have to suffer a monthly agony of pain in the body ranging from mild cramps to severe.

In the municipality of Tangalan, located in the province of Aklan, an ordinance was implemented to lessen the burden of women. The ordinance is called, “Menstruation Day Privilege,” which is offered to female employees, no matter what position they have, of the government in Tangalan wherein they are given two days to work from home during their menstrual period and although they don’t have to be physically present in the office, they still need to do their responsibilities at the comfort of their homes. Moreover, they also need to submit an accomplishment report for those days.

“We commend Tangalan LGU for taking initiative in implementing an ordinance that provides assistance for women. We hope other localities will replicate it,” said Atty. Carmelo N. Nochete, Regional Director.

To be able to avail the said privilege, they must first pass a certification from the Municipal Health Officer confirming their menstrual cycle and non-menopausal stage to the Local Chief Executive or Municipal Mayor and to the Human Resource and Management Officer (HRMO). The HRMO will collect the papers submitted by the female employees and they will be the one to pass them to the Municipal Mayor in order for the employees to get the Work from Home Order.

The said implimentation that is overseen by the Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO) headed by Leonardo Bantad, Jr. has produced significant results and impacts on female employees and the overall work environment and has garnered positive feedback from various media platforms.

Leah Tatoy, a Local Civil Registrar and Population Officer-Designate of the LGU, mentioned in an interview that her female colleagues are looking forward to the privileges brought by the ordinance.

Meanwhile, according to Concepcion Amarillo, Head of the Human Resources Department and former Tangalan Municipal Information Officer, two of her colleagues at work who already have their monthly are very pleased with this news. Amarillo further shared that since November of 2022, women who have their periods in Tangalan LGU received Menstrual Kits.

Implementing the Menstruation Day privilege policy in government offices provides important lessons that can guide the agencies in every step they take in the future and promote a more inclusive work environment.

Moreover, it also opens a new perspective on the anatomy of the woman’s body and will serve as extra knowledge about women and their monthly struggles at work due to their monthly visitor./(DSWD6/ Source: Tangalan LGU/ With edits by Kirstie Ann Jo Esquivel, BA Journalism-WVSU/ Photo Credits: Tangalan LGU)