A measure has been filed in the Senate seeking a five-day paid special emergency leave to public and private sector employees affected by natural calamities or disasters.
Senate Bill 652, filed by Sen. Francis Tolentino, aims to institutionalize Civil Service Commission Memorandum No. 2 and No. 16, series of 2012 which provides calamity-stricken government employees special emergency leave and expands their coverage to include private sector workers.
"Given our disaster risk profile, there is a need to supplement the provisions of RA 10121, otherwise known as the 'Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010,' by enabling affected citizens to recover from the devastating effects of a natural calamity or disaster," Tolentino said.
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What are the benefits of the bill?
Under the measure, a five-day special emergency leave with pay will be given to employees directly affected by a natural calamity or disaster, which can be applied for five straight working days or on a staggered manner.
The said emergency leave can be availed by the employees within 30 days from the actual occurrence of the disaster or calamity. However, these leave credits may not be converted into cash.
Public and private sector employees may use the emergency leave for the following purposes:
- Urgent repair and clean-up of damaged house
- Being stranded in affected areas
- Disease or illness of employees brought by natural calamity or disaster
- Caring for immediate family members affected by natural calamity or disaster
Who can avail of the special emergency leave?
The special emergency leave may be availed by all government and private employees, officials, and workers who have rendered at least six months of service to their present employer.
However, those who are not covered by the measure are the following:
- Those already enjoying a similar benefit involving at least five days of special emergency leave;
- Those employed in establishments with less than 10 employees; and
- Those whose services are necessary for disaster response and relief.
Employers have the responsibility to verify the eligibility of their employees to the special emergency leave. The validation can include:
- Place of residence based on the latest available records of the affected employee
- Extent of damage caused by the calamity to the affected employee
- Medical certificate stating that the illness or disease was suffered by the employee or his/her immediate family member brought by the natural calamity or disaster
- Such other proofs as may be necessary.
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