Manila: Government employees affected by recent natural calamities may take time off to recover from disaster-related impacts, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) said Friday. In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview, CSC Legal Affairs Director Ariel Ronquillo explained that the Special Emergency Leave is a long-standing policy that allows government workers who are victims of calamities, such as typhoons, floods, and earthquakes, to do so.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Special Emergency Leave was first issued in 2012 after Typhoon Ondoy. It grants affected personnel up to five days of leave per year, which can be used either consecutively or staggered, and is not deducted from their regular leave credits. Ronquillo emphasized the need for employees to formally apply for this leave under the memorandum circular. Verification of their status as calamity victims is necessary for approval.

To qualify for the leave, a declaration of a state of calamity or emergency must be issued by the national or local government. In the absence of such a declaration, affected employees may still apply for the leave if they can present proof of their circumstance, such as photos of the damage or a barangay certification. The CSC stressed that agencies must not unreasonably deny leave if sufficient proof is provided. Employees who feel their application was unjustly denied may file a complaint before the commission, as such denial may constitute a grave abuse of authority.

In addition to emergency-related absences, government workers are also entitled to a Special Privilege Leave of up to three days per year for personal milestones and urgent matters. This type of leave covers birthdays, family deaths, and domestic emergencies, among others, as a form of support for their personal well-being and family responsibilities. Like the Special Emergency Leave, it is non-cumulative and non-convertible to cash, and is not deducted from leave credits.

Ronquillo noted that wellness or mental health leaves are currently limited to select government agencies, such as the Judiciary and Office of the Ombudsman, which have specific legal provisions in their charters. The CSC is reviewing the possibility of extending this benefit across the bureaucracy in the future.