Lawmaker proposes one-day leave for singles every February 15

A lawmaker has proposed a bill allowing singles to take a leave from work every February 15, or the "National Single Awareness Day."

According to Dano Tingcungco's report on "24 Oras Weekend," Sunday, the bill is titled "Singles Well-Being Leave Act" and filed by Cagayan de Oro First District Representative Lordan Suan.

Suan said that the proposed act is one of the ways to promote mental health awareness in the workplace and to support the emotional well-being of single employees which would help increase their productivity at work.

According to the Employer's Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), the intention of the proposal is good but questioned whether a one-day leave is enough to solve one's problem.

"'Wag namang i-load nang i-load sa negosyo. Pinapa-complicate natin ang doing business. Ang masama pa riyan eh kahit wala namang problema, dahil mayroong ganon, asahan mo magfa-file lahat ng leave," ECOP President Sergio Luis said.

Meanwhile, psychologist Lilian Ng Gui said that there's been a lot of changes about being single since the pandemic.

According to her, singles today have become more empowered and fulfilled, and rather than just focus on one part of the population, everyone's emotional well-being should be prioritized.

"What will they do with the leave? Iiyak more? Or will they find professional help? Everybody, whether you're single, you're married, you're senior or you're widowed, all of them have their own challenges," she said.