ILOILO CITY -- The Negros Occidental provincial government has formally extended the five-day wellness leave benefit to 2,171 job order (JO) and contract of service (COS) workers through Executive Order No. 26-03 signed by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.

The order incorporates JO and COS personnel into the province’s internal guidelines implementing the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) wellness leave program.

Covered employees may avail themselves of up to five days of wellness leave within the calendar year during the duration of their contract, without prejudice to existing rules on compensation and attendance.

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said the provincial government finalized the availment forms and procedures on Feb. 11 in coordination with Provincial Human Resource Management Office head Felomina Gozon.

“JO and COS employees may now start availing of five days wellness leave pursuant to Governor Bong Lacson’s EO,” Diaz said.

Data from the Capitol showed that the governor renewed last month the contracts of 1,095 job order workers and 1,076 contract of service personnel, bringing the total number of contractual employees covered by the policy to 2,171.

Wellness leave allows personnel to take time off for rest, recuperation and activities promoting overall well-being, including mental health care, stress management and physical wellness initiatives.

In the directive, Lacson emphasized that it is provincial policy to uphold the welfare of government workers and to institutionalize initiatives that support a healthy, resilient and efficient workforce.

He also directed the adoption of uniform internal guidelines to ensure consistent and effective implementation of the benefit across all provincial offices, departments, hospitals and other units, in line with CSC regulations.

The CSC, through Resolution No. 2501292 issued in December last year, approved the grant of a maximum of five days wellness leave for eligible government officials and employees to reinforce workplace strategies under Republic Act 11036, or the Mental Health Act.

The resolution cited Joint Administrative Order 2023-000 issued by the CSC, Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Health, which identifies mental health as a priority area for workplace health promotion programs.