Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
GRANTING BEREAVEMENT LEAVE OF FIVE (5) WORKING DAYS WITH 
FULL PAY TO EMPLOYEES IN THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS IN 
THE EVENT OF DEATH OF AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Filipino Culture is popularly known for valuing close family ties. 
More often than not, the lives of every Filipino people revolve around the 
family. Thus, the loss of a family member carries a devastating blow, both 
emotional and physical, upon those left behind. 
When an employee loses a member of their immediate family, he or she 
must be allowed to take time off from work to make the necessary 
arrangements, mourn with the family and, eventually, heal. 
Each individual is unique in dealing with loss and take different 
approaches to heal after the death of a loved one; many people welcome the 
respite of a few days leave, while others prefer the distraction from the work 
load and the sense of normalcy that comes with returning to their respective 
daily routine. The minimum thing decent employers can do is to temporarily 
unburden these grieving employees from the worries of work and job 
insecurity. 
To strike a balance between maintaining a productive work 
environment and providing support to a grieving employee, this bill instructs 
all employers, public and private, to grant a paid bereavement leave of five (5) 
working days to employees who suffered the loss of an immediate loved one: 
parent, sibling, spouse, or child.  
July 1, 2022
3:39 pm
948


2 
This initiative also benefits employers as it makes their employees feel 
valued, contributes to the workers’ engagement, thereby helping employers to 
attract and retain the best and the brightest people to their pool of human 
resources.  
Furthermore, the bereavement leave shall be a welcome addition to the 
State’s efforts to promote dignified labor and worker’s rights.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS   
Fifth District, Quezon City 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
GRANTING BEREAVEMENT LEAVE OF FIVE (5) WORKING DAYS WITH 
FULL PAY TO EMPLOYEES IN THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS IN 
THE EVENT OF DEATH OF AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Bereavement 
Leave Act.” 
SECTION. 2. Declaration of State Policy. - It is the policy of the State to 
strengthen the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation and promote its 
solidarity and total development. Accordingly, the State recognizes that the 
death of an immediate family member bears a significant emotional and 
psychological burden to those left behind. A bereavement leave benefit system 
is hereby institutionalized to support employees in the public and private 
sectors who have recently lost relatives belonging to their immediate family. 
SECTION. 3. Definition of Terms. – 
a. “Bereavement leave” refers to a leave taken by an employee to allow
them to mourn the death, or attend or to make arrangements for the
funeral, of an immediate family member.
b. “Immediate Family Member” refers to an employee’s parent, spouse,
child, or sibling.
SECTION. 4. Bereavement Leave. – There shall be granted under this Act a 
bereavement leave of five (5) working days with full compensation to any 
employee of the private and public sectors in the event of death of an 
immediate family member.  
948


4 
 
SECTION. 5. Non–Diminution of Benefits. – Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed as a diminution of any existing benefits granted under existing 
laws, decrees, orders or any contract, agreement or policy between employers 
and employees. 
 
SECTION. 6. Security of Tenure. – Employees in the public and private 
sectors who avail of bereavement leave provided under this Act shall be 
assured of security of tenure. Availment of the leave shall not be used as 
reason for misconduct, demotion, or termination in employment, or for any 
form of unsatisfactory performance. 
 
SECTION. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. –The Secretary of 
Labor and Employment and the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission 
shall, within thirty (30) days from the approval of this Act, issue such rules 
and regulations necessary for the proper implementation of the provision 
hereof. 
 
SECTION. 8. Penalties. – Any person, corporation, trust, firm, partnership, 
association, or entity found violating this Act or the rules and regulations 
promulgated thereunder shall be punished by a fine not exceeding twenty 
thousand pesos (Php20,000.00) or imprisonment of fifteen (15) days to one (1) 
month. 
 
If the violation be committed by a corporation, partnership, association, 
firm or similar entities, the penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed on the 
officer or officers directly responsible for the violation. 
 
SECTION. 9. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any part, section, or 
provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining 
provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
 
 
SECTION. 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, issuances, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provision of this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION. 11. Effectivity. – This act shall take effect after fifteen days 
following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least 
two newspapers of national circulation. 
 
Approved,