Even though it’s 2024 and romantic relationships aren’t the be-all and end-all of happiness, Valentine’s Day somehow has still become imbued with the pressure to be on a date. Holiday rom-coms and social media posts abound this time of year, and, if you’re single, you’re almost guaranteed to hear a less-than-sensitive “May ka-date ka sa Valentine's?” from others.
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Even if you’re totally okay with your relationship status, the coming days can be a real bummer. The people in the municipality of General Luna, Quezon understand this—which is probably the reason the local government unit is now offering its single employees a special two-day leave come February 15 and 16.
Municipal Mayor Matt Florido is the man behind this, issuing Executive Order No. 09 to grant single local government employees two special stress leaves or two days of double pay on the two days after Valentine’s.
According to the EO, this measure was implemented in accordance with Republic Act No. 11058 or the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Act giving importance to the well-being of workers. "Ilang araw na lang at sasapit na naman ang Valentine's Day. Sa ating mga single employees, ramdam ko ang inyong pinagdadaanan lalo na at papalapit na ang Araw ng mga Puso. Mahal ko kayong lahat, kaya naman muli nating inihahandog ang espesyal na pribiliheyo upang mag-enjoy naman kayo ngayong darating na Valentine's," the politician wrote on Facebook.
READ MORE: ICYDK, A Cebu Hotel Offers 5 Days Of Paid Leave To Its *Brokenhearted* Employees
Further, he stated that Valentine's Day can be a source of stress for many single individuals and that they may need "opportunity for self-care and rejuvenation."
He also cleared that he "personally shouldered" the initiative. "Tulad ng mga nagdaang taon, hindi tayo gagamit ng government fund para sa incentives na nabanggit, mula sa personal o sariling bulsa ko ang gagamitin dito.”
ICYDK, he had given his government employees with "single" status special benefits during Valentine’s Day in the previous years, too.
