Typhoon-stricken gov’t workers may apply for emergency leave

The privilege may be used for any of the following: for urgent repair and clean-up of a damaged house, being stranded in affected areas, disease/illness of employees brought by natural calamity/disaster, or caring of immediate family members affected by natural calamity/disaster. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)

MANILA – Government employees directly affected by the aftermath of Typhoons Quinta and Rolly may apply for a special five-day leave.

This was announced by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) as it reiterated CSC Memorandum Circular Nos. 2 and 16 issued 16 February 2012 and 17 October 2012, respectively, containing guidelines for the grant of the special emergency leave for state employees affected by natural calamities or disasters.

The special emergency leave shall be for a maximum of five days in a year and non-deductible from the employee’s earned leave credits. It may be availed of within 30 days from the actual occurrence of the natural calamity for five straight working days or on a staggered basis.

The privilege may be used for any of the following: for urgent repair and clean-up of a damaged house, being stranded in affected areas, disease/illness of employees brought by natural calamity/disaster, or caring of immediate family members affected by natural calamity/disaster.

The CSC said the special emergency leave shall be based on the declaration of a state of calamity by the President of the Philippines or the local sanggunian in the affected area. However, in case a specific area was not declared to be under a state of calamity, the head of the agency may still grant the special emergency leave based on proof or evidence to be presented by the employee or relevant news accounts.

The CSC added that the head of agency or office shall take full responsibility for the grant of special emergency leave and shall set parameters in granting said leave like verification of the situation and extent of damage caused by the calamity to affected employees.

Extension of the allowed maximum of five days of special emergency leave shall be subject to the discretion of the head of the agency and the agency’s internal policy on the matter. Agencies are urged to come up with internal guidelines in the grant of the special emergency leave.

For the complete text of CSC Memorandum Circular Nos. 2 and 16, s. 2012, please visit the CSC website at www.csc.gov.ph.