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 as it reiterated CSC Memorandum Circular Nos. 2 and 16 issued on Feb. 16, 2012 and Oct. 17, 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 (5) days in a year and non-deductible from the employee’s earned leave credits.
It may be availed off within 30 days from the actual occurrence of the calamity for five (5) straight working days or on a staggered basis.
Said privilege may be used for any of the following: for urgent repair and clean-up of damaged house, being stranded in affected areas; disease or illness of employees brought by natural calamity/disaster, or caring of immediate family members affected by natural calamity of disaster.
The CSC said that the SEL shall be based in the declaration of state of calamity by the President of the Philippines or the Local Sanggunian in the affected area. However, in case a specifiv area was not declared to be under a state of calamity, the head of agencu may still; grand the SEL based on proof or evidence to be presented by the employee or relevant news accounts.
The CSC added that the head of agency or ioffice shall take full responsbsity for the grant of SEL dns shall set parameters in granting said leave like verifiviation of the situation and extent of damage caused by the calamity to affected employees. Extension of the allowed maximum five days of SEL shall be subjevty to the discretion of the head of age cy and the agency’ internal policy on the matter.
Agencies are urged to come up with interbal guidelines in the grant of the sel.