Government workers will soon be able to take time off specifically for well-being under a newly approved policy of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), which aligns with Republic Act No. 11036 or the Mental Health Act. The measure introduces wellness leave of up to five days each year for qualified officials and employees.
The announcement came as the CSC underscored the growing urgency of mental health support in public offices, pointing to a 2025 Global Workplace Report that placed Filipino workers among those with the highest levels of stress in Southeast Asia.
CSC Chairperson Marilyn Barua-Yap described the initiative as part of a broader effort to reinforce supportive and responsive public service. “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,” she said.
After approving the grant, the Commission issued detailed rules covering when the leave may be used, what activities qualify, and how requests will be submitted and evaluated. Workers may take the leave in blocks of up to three straight days or divide it into nonconsecutive dates, but unused days will not carry over to the next year and cannot be transferred.
The CSC clarified that the leave is intended only for mental health care, physical wellness, or taking a general break, and that existing entitlements such as vacation and sick leave remain untouched.
Requests will go through a process similar to standard leave applications, requiring endorsement by a direct supervisor before reaching the agency head for approval. Employees must file the request five days ahead of the planned dates, although the CSC noted that emergency situations may be processed after an employee returns to work.
The Commission also highlighted that personal information related to wellness leave will be handled under the safeguards of the Data Privacy Act of 2012 to ensure a “safe space” for applicants.
The policy will take effect 15 days after publication and general circulation, to be followed by a formal advisory confirming its release and effective date.
