Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

6253

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos

Ina worl

keep on piling
working Filipin

EXPLANATORY NOTE
id where everything is fast-paced, it can sometimes be hard to keep up.

up. Thus, it is not surprising that the mental health and wellness of
's is steadily declining.

Pressure a from the workplace, family, society, personal life, and even social media

Accordi

to the Department of Health (DOH), the number of individuals in the

Philippines with major depressive disorder is already at 17 million.! Meanwhile, the

incidence of si

jicide increased both in males and females. The rise of mental health

disorders is even exacerbated by cither the lack of access to professional help or the

stigma that stil
issues.

Hence, i
health initiative
year which they
therapy from a
of daily life. T!
ensure their e
can contribute
work spaces

1 exists in society against those who seek help for their mental health

order to address the needs of the modern workforce for better mental
s, this bill aims to provide employees in the private sector five days per
can use to go toa mental health professional for consultation, to receive

ental health practitioner, or even just to take a break from the stressors
s bill likewise mandates employers to offer and implement programs to
ployees’ mental well-being. It is hoped that through this legislation we

raising better mental health awareness and in creating more accepting
ere every person can thrive mentally and emotionally.

Representati



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6253

Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos

|
1
| AN ACT
GRANTING MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS LEAVE TO ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE
PRIVATE SE‘

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Mental Health
Leave Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - Through constitutional fiat, the State
values the dignity of every human person and shall protect and promote the right
to health of the people and instill health consciousness. In line with this, the
State recognizes the psychological dimension of health and shall pursue
measures to ensure that every citizen is holistically healthy.

SECTION 3. Mental Health Wellness Leave. ~ Notwithstanding any law,
rules, and regulations to the contrary, all employees of the private sector are
entitled to mental health wellness leaves. Each employee shall be entitled to five
(5) leave dag ith full pay per annum; provided that such leaves if unused shall
not be carried over to the next year; provided further that such leaves cannot be
monetized ‘ie end of the year if unused by the employee. Employers shall

accordingly offer and implement programs to raise awareness on mental health

and to ensure their employees’ mental wellbeing.

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within thirty (30) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Labor and Employment and the
Secretary of Health shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 5. Penalties. - Any employer, whether they are a corporation,
trust, firm, partnership, association, entity, or person, found violating this Act


shall be punished by a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000.00).

If the violation is committed by a juridical person, the penalty of
imprisonment of not less than thirty (30) days nor more than six (6) months in
addition to the fine mentioned shall be imposed on the entity's responsible
officers.

SECTION 6. Non-diminution of Benefits. - Nothing in this Act shall be
construed to reduce any current benefits of any form granted under existing
laws, decrees, executive orders, collective bargaining agreements, or contract
between the employer and the employee.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders, and
proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act,
are hereby amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall
remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,