Employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have been granted an additional five days of paid vacation as part of their new “wellness leave” program. This aims to support the mental health and physical well-being of employees.
Currently, DPWH employees and officials have about 40 days of vacation leave a year, including 15 days of vacation leave, 15 days of sick leave, and 3 days of special leave. The additional wellness leave can be used for mental health care, physical wellness activities, or simply a break from work, according to Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon.
According to a department order issued on Feb. 3, wellness leave is available to all permanent, temporary, coterminous, and contractual employees, including Contract of Service and Job Order personnel. It cannot be converted into money or monetized, to ensure that it is truly beneficial for the employee's health.
Dizon, who was appointed last September, immediately implemented reforms in the department that focused on the issue of ghost flood control projects and widespread corruption in the DPWH. These included the reduction of Construction Materials Price Data (CMPD) in all regional and District Engineering Offices, which saved nearly P60 billion in government projects.
This step by the DPWH is a clear focus on employee well-being and the integrity of the department. It also demonstrates the importance of mental and physical health in productivity, which can be a model for other government agencies.
