Bill seeking ‘wellness leave’ for workers, students filed

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and her colleagues in the judiciary would not be the only ones entitled to “wellness leave” if this party-list lawmaker had her way.

Agbiag Rep. Michelle Antonio had filed House Bill No. 7400, which would grant workers and students three days of “mental health wellness break” every year.

The proposal, titled Mental Health Break and Awareness Act, would allow both public and private sector workers “not to report for work for three days but continue to earn compensation.”

Students in public and private schools will also be entitled to a three-day break, which will be “counted as excused absences and will in no way prejudice the students’ grades.” —VINCE F. NONATO