DepEd Clarifies Rules on Wellness Leave for Teachers During Class Days

Published: August 11, 2026

PASIG CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) has released a formal memorandum clarifying guidelines regarding the availment of Wellness Leave (WL) by teachers during active class days. Issued on August 10, 2026, and signed by Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Atty. Fatima Lipp D. Panontongan, the directive aims to safeguard the holistic well-being of school personnel while ensuring that classroom instruction remains uninterrupted.

Under Civil Service Commission (CSC) Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 01, s. 2026, and DepEd Order (DO) No. 002, s. 2026, government employees are entitled to up to five days of Wellness Leave for mental health care, physical wellness activities, or a general break from work.

Key Highlights of the Memorandum:

• Availability on Class Days: Teachers are permitted to avail themselves of Wellness Leave even during class days, provided they comply with existing provisions.
• Continuity of Classes: The scheduling of classes on a specific day does not automatically disqualify a teacher from taking an approved Wellness Leave.
• Designation of Relievers: School heads are mandated to designate qualified teachers as relievers to prevent disruption.
• Overload Pay Eligibility: Teachers assigned to take on additional teaching responsibilities are eligible for overload pay.
• Protection of Employee Rights: School heads are explicitly prohibited from using the designation of relievers as a basis to deny or restrict approved Wellness Leave applications.

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Full Text of the Memorandum

Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

MEMORANDUM
TO: Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Bureau and Service Directors, Regional Directors, Schools Division Superintendents, Public Elementary and Secondary School Heads, All Others Concerned
FROM: ATTY. FATIMA LIPP D. PANANTONGAN, Undersecretary and Chief of Staff, Office of the Secretary
SUBJECT: Clarification on the Availment of Wellness Leave by Teachers During Class Days
DATE: August 10, 2026

1. The Department of Education (DepEd), through DepEd Order (DO) No. 002, s. 2026, entitled Guidelines on the Grant of Wellness Leave for the Department of Education Personnel, recognizes the importance of promoting the holistic well-being of its personnel. Pursuant to Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular (CSC MC) No. 01, s. 2026, entitled Wellness Leave Policy, government officials and employees are granted Wellness Leave (WL) of up to five days for purposes including, but not limited to, mental health care, physical wellness activities, or a general break from work.

2. Wellness Leave of Teachers During Class Days. Teachers may avail themselves of WL during class days, subject to the applicable provisions of DO 002, s. 2026, CSC MC 01, s. 2026, and other existing laws, rules, and regulations on the grant of leave.

3. The scheduling of classes on a particular day shall not, by itself, prevent a teacher from availing of approved WL. To ensure continuity of teaching and learning, the School Head shall designate qualified teachers as relievers for classes affected by the approved WL, taking into consideration their qualifications, existing teaching loads, availability, and welfare.

4. Teachers assigned to undertake additional teaching or relieving duties shall be eligible for overload pay, subject to the applicable guidelines and conditions under DO 005, s. 2024, entitled Rationalization of Teachers' Workload in Public Schools and Payment of Teaching Overload, and other existing laws, rules, regulations, and budgetary, accounting, and auditing requirements.

5. The designation of relievers shall not be used as a basis for denying, delaying, or unduly restricting the approved availment of WL. School heads shall ensure that appropriate arrangements are made for affected classes while facilitating the proper availment of WL in accordance with existing policies.

6. Regional directors and schools division superintendents shall ensure the dissemination and consistent implementation of this clarification within their respective jurisdictions. School heads shall ensure that WL applications are processed in accordance with existing policies and that additional teaching or relieving duties are properly documented.

7. All related issuances and guidelines that are inconsistent with this Order are hereby repealed, rescinded, or amended accordingly.

8. Immediate and strict compliance with this Order is hereby directed.

Download Official Document

Need a copy for your records? You can download the complete, official signed memorandum directly from the Department of Education website.

Download Official Memorandum (PDF)