THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) has approved a grant allowing eligible government officials and employees to avail of up to five days of wellness leave, in line with Republic Act No. 11036, or the Mental Health Act.
In a press release on Tuesday, CSC highlighted mental health as a priority in workplace health promotion, citing the 2025 Global Workplace Report, which showed that Filipinos have the second-highest stress levels in Southeast Asia.
“The Wellness Leave is a proactive response to the realities faced by our workforce today. By giving employees the space to rest, recover, and care for themselves, we reinforce a public service environment that is compassionate, resilient, and more responsive to the needs of the Filipino people,” CSC Chairperson Marilyn Barua-Yap said.
The CSC issued guidelines covering the availment period, allowable purposes, application and approval process, and confidentiality of the grant.
Wellness leave may be taken for a maximum of three consecutive days or on separate nonconsecutive days. The leave is noncumulative, nontransferable, and forfeited if unused within the calendar year.
The leave may be used for mental health care, physical wellness activities, or a general break from work. It will not replace existing leave benefits such as vacation or sick leave.
Requests for wellness leave must be recommended by an employee’s immediate supervisor and submitted to the agency head for approval, following the same process as vacation or sick leave.
Requests should be filed five days before the intended date, though emergency cases may be filed after the employee reports back to work.
The CSC assured that applicants’ health information will be handled in accordance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012, creating a safe and confidential space for employees.
The policy will take effect 15 days after its publication and general circulation, accompanied by an official advisory.
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