MANILA: The Civil Service Commission (CSC) reminded heads of government agencies to implement the granting of the five-day special emergency leave (SEL) to government employees affected by the onslaught of Super Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat”.
CSC Commissioner Aileen Lizada in a message to the Philippine News Agency on Thursday said government employees affected by natural calamities or disasters are entitled to a five-day SEL under CSC Memorandum Circular numbers 2 and 16, both series of 2012.
‘MC 16, s. 2012 clarified po that special emergency leave under MC Nr. 2, S. 2012 shall be granted to employees affected by natural calamities after Ondoy. So continuing po ang grant ng SEL (the grant of the SEL is continuing),’ Lizada said.
She said the five-day SEL should also be granted based on the declaration of a state of calamity by the President of the Philippines or by the Local Sanggunian as provided by Section 16 of Republic Act No. 10121 or Philippine Disaster Risk Reducti
on and Management Act of 2010.
On Wednesday, the Metro Manila Council (MMC) placed the National Capital Region (NCR) under a state of calamity when Super Typhoon Carina and southwest monsoon wreaked havoc on many parts of the region.
Aside from Metro Manila, also placed under a state of calamity are Cainta in Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, and Baco, Oriental Mindoro.
‘However, in case a specific area was not declared under a state of calamity but was nonetheless severely affected by the national calamity/disaster, the head of agency in the exercise of his/her sound discretion, may grant the special emergency leave to affected employees based on proof or evidence presented or news account,’ the MC 16 reads.
MC 2, meanwhile, states that the special emergency leave can be applied for five straight working days or on a staggered basis and will not be deducted from the employee’s leave credits.
The purpose of the leave may be for urgent repair and clean-up of damaged house, being stranded in affected areas, disease
or illness of employees brought by natural calamity/disaster, and caring for immediate family members affected by natural calamity/disaster.
Lizada said the five-day SEL may be availed within 30 days of the occurrence of the calamity.
The SEL is non-cumulative and non-commutative.
Source: Philippines News agency