Amid rising demands in the education sector, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday, February 13, announced that it is granting up to five days of annual wellness leave to all teaching and non-teaching personnel to promote employee well-being.

In a statement, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the policy reflects the department’s commitment to caring for its workforce, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen public sector employee welfare and mental health support.

“Kapag inaalagaan natin ang ating mga guro at kawani, mas nagiging matibay ang ating mga paaralan (When we take care of our teachers and staff, our schools become stronger),” Angara said.

“Ito ay pamumuhunan hindi lamang sa ating workforce, kundi sa kinabukasan ng ating mga mag-aaral (This is an investment not only in our workforce, but also in the future of our learners),” he added.

Angara emphasized that supporting employee well-being strengthens both personnel resilience and the education system, ultimately benefiting learners.

“Ito ay handog natin sa bawat kawani ng DepEd—mula sa central office hanggang sa mga rehiyon, division offices, paaralan, at community learning centers, at anuman ang kanilang employment status (This is our offering to every DepEd employee—from the central office to the regions, division offices, schools, and community learning centers, regardless of their employment status),” Angara said.

“Kinikilala natin na ang kanilang kalusugan, lalo na ang mental health, ay mahalaga sa patuloy nilang paglilingkod sa ating mga mag-aaral (We recognize that their health, especially their mental health, is vital to their continued service to our learners),” he added.

Aligned with Civil Service Commission (CSC) Memorandum Circular No. 01, s. 2026, DepEd said the wellness leave applies to all eligible DepEd officials and employees, including permanent, temporary, casual, contractual, coterminous, substitute, provisional, and Contract of Service or Job Order personnel directly engaged by the department.

DepEd explained that the leave is separate from existing vacation and sick leave benefits and can be used for mental health care, physical wellness, or simply a restorative break.

Employees may avail themselves of up to three consecutive or non-consecutive days throughout the year, subject to approval, DepEd said.

To protect privacy, any mental health-related information disclosed during the application process will be treated confidentially in accordance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

DepEd said applications must generally be filed five days in advance, except in emergencies, and unused wellness leave cannot be carried over or converted into cash.