Camille Villar bats for mental health leave, expanded social protection

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Camille Villar has filed a series of measures promoting mental wellness and improving the rights and welfare of workers, students, mothers, and vulnerable groups.

One of the main proposals seeks to institutionalize a Mental Health Wellness Leave of three days with full pay for employees in both the public and private sectors. Villar underscored the importance of integrating mental health into mainstream labor policy, citing the goal of establishing a comprehensive and efficient national mental health care system that responds to the psychiatric, neurologic, and psychosocial needs of the Filipino people.

In line with this advocacy, Villar also filed a bill expanding PhilHealth coverage to include a benefit package that addresses all mental health disorders, reinforcing the accessibility and affordability of mental health services nationwide.

Villar’s legislative agenda also includes a proposal for mandatory insurance coverage, hazard pay, and additional benefits for journalists, media workers on field assignments, and freelancers—aiming to ensure the safety and security of those in high-risk reporting environments.

She likewise introduced a bill allowing flexible work arrangements for pregnant women and postnatal mothers, recognizing the unique health and caregiving needs of working mothers. Other education and social development measures filed include the establishment of a Basic Life Skills course in the high school curriculum and the creation of an “Ebooks for the Barangay” program to provide digital learning resources at the community level.

Additional bills seek to grant 13th month pay to contractual and job order personnel in government, mandate the provision of maternity packages for low-income pregnant women, and require accessibility and inclusivity in all tourism sites for persons with disabilities and senior citizens. Another proposal offers a one-time cash grant of ₱5,000 to fresh graduates from Philippine universities and training institutions to support their job search and initial employment expenses.

These new proposals build on Villar’s earlier work on legislation aimed at protecting women and children. The senator continues to advance inclusive, responsive policies focused on mental health, labor welfare, education, and social equity.