3 Days of Paid Menstrual Leave Every Month Proposed for Female Employees in the Philippines

Female employees in the Philippines may be entitled to up to three days of paid menstrual leave every month under a proposed measure filed in the House of Representatives.

House Bill No. 10771, also known as the proposed Menstrual Leave Act, was filed by Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo G. Lazatin Jr. on August 13, 2026. It seeks to provide additional leave benefits to female workers who experience menstrual pain, discomfort, or health conditions related to menstruation.

The proposed measure would cover eligible female employees in both the government and private sectors, regardless of their employment status.

What Does the Proposed Menstrual Leave Provide?

Under House Bill No. 10771, qualified female employees would be entitled to a maximum of three days of menstrual leave with pay every month.

The proposed benefit is intended to allow employees to rest and recover when they experience discomfort or health conditions associated with menstruation.

However, the bill includes two important conditions:

• Non-cumulative: Unused leave days cannot be carried over to the following month.

• Non-convertible to cash: Employees cannot receive money in exchange for unused menstrual leave.

For example, if an employee uses only one day of menstrual leave during a particular month, the remaining two days cannot be added to her leave entitlement for the following month.

Who Would Be Qualified?

The proposed menstrual leave would apply to female employees in both public and private workplaces, regardless of employment status.

To qualify, an employee must be experiencing menstruation or menstrual-cycle-related pain, discomfort, or health conditions that require rest, recovery, or medical attention.

The bill clarifies that an employee would not be entitled to menstrual leave during periods when she is not experiencing menstruation or any related condition, including during pregnancy or after established menopause. Other leave benefits available under existing laws would remain unaffected.

Protection Against Workplace Discrimination

Apart from providing paid leave, the proposed measure includes provisions protecting employees who use the benefit.

Under the bill, female workers who avail themselves of menstrual leave must not experience discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in the workplace.

They must also be protected against demotion or termination because of their use of menstrual leave.

The proposal further states that existing employee benefits must not be reduced as a result of the measure.

When Will the Menstrual Leave Be Implemented?

The proposed menstrual leave has no official implementation date because House Bill No. 10771 has not yet become law.

If enacted in its present form, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Civil Service Commission (CSC), and Department of Health (DOH), together with other relevant agencies, would be responsible for preparing its implementing rules and regulations within 90 days after the law takes effect.

What Is the Current Status of the Bill?

According to the official records of the House of Representatives, House Bill No. 10771 was filed on August 13, 2026, and underwent its first reading on August 24, 2026.

As of September 25, 2026, the measure remains pending before the House Committee on Labor and Employment.

The bill must undergo the necessary legislative process and receive the required approval before it can become law.

IMPORTANT: The proposed three-day paid menstrual leave is not yet an existing nationwide employee benefit. Female employees should wait for official legislative and government announcements regarding its possible approval and implementation.