Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) Executive Director Ms. Stella Zipangan-Banawis has thrown its support behind House Bill 6253, the “Mental Wellness Leave” which she acknowledged as “essential and compensable.”

The “Mental Wellness Leave,” authored by Ang Probinsyano Party List (APPL) Rep. Alfred de los Santos, grants private sector employees additional annual five days paid “Mental Wellness Leave” on top of their mandated vacation and sick leaves. 

The additional leave could be used to consult with mental health professionals, undergo therapy or simply take a break from daily stress.

This bill also requires employers to implement programs promoting their workers’ mental health.

The Philippine Mental Health Law (RA 11036), which took effect on July 5, 2018, is a rights-based mental health bill that grants protection to workers availing of psychiatric, neurologic, and psychological health issues so that they may live free from stigma and discrimination. 

APPL is seeking for a wider scope on Philippine Mental Health Law, to include a prevention program to address the rising depressive disorders and suicide rates caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to the Department of Health (DOH), 17 million Filipinos suffer from depression. The National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline also noted that it has received more than 11,000 calls in 2020, up by 247 percent compared to 2019 when it only received 3,000 calls.   

In light of this alarming development, De los Santos, is pushing for immediate importance of caring and securing workers’ mental wellness.

“Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our workers have already been struggling with the combined pressure from their jobs, families, and even social media.  The pandemic has intensified the burden, adding feelings of fears and anxiety.  This is very evident among our frontliners and essential workers,” he said.

“Such programs will ease the stress among our workers.  Employers stand to gain from this since the workers receiving such aid can become more productive,” he added.

With the ECC affirming the importance of “Mental Wellness Leave,” APPL will continue to push for the passage of the bill as the people’s representation in Congress.

Aside from House Bill 6253, De Los Santos previously filed House Bill 81, which provides for the creation of the Occupational Safety, Health and Emergency Response Team,  to ensure the safety of film, television and theatre artists in the Philippines.

He also authored House Bill 309, which provides for a 35-hour working week scheme as an alternative work arrangement for the private sector.