5-day Special Emergency Leave during calamities
The Department of Education reminds all DepEd officials, teaching and non-teaching personnel, who were badly affected by any natural calamity, can apply for a special five-day emergency leave.
Based on Office Memorandum OM-PHROD-2020-00423 issued by the Office of Undersecretary Jesus L.R Mateo, the Special Emergency Leave (SEL) must be given for a maximum of five (5) days in a year and will be non-deductible from the employee’s earned leave or service credits.
Affected employees may avail of the SEL within thirty (30) days from the actual occurrence of the natural calamity. This can be straight working days or on a staggered basis.
Employees under a Job Order or Contract of Service may also avail of the SEL as long as they meet the verification needed.
Under the memo anchored on Civil Service Commission Memorandum (CSC) No. 02 dated 16 February 2012, the grant of this leave must be based on the declaration of the state of calamity by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte or the local government unit of the affected area.
“In cases where a specific area was not declared to be under a state of calamity but was severely affected by a national calamity or disaster, the Head of the Offices; DepEd Secretary for the Central Office, Regional Director for Regional Offices, and School Division Superintendent for Schools Division Office and Schools must take full responsibility of granting the special emergency leave,” DepEd said.
Any requests for extension of the Special Emergency Leave will be subject to the discretion of the Head of Office upon submission of strong justification on the need for an extension.
For the filing of SEL, affected employees may avail of SEL immediately if his/her immediate supervisor is notified and the application for the said leave must be filed upon the return to work of the affected employee.
The memorandum also allowed for the online submission and processing of leave requests using electronic signatures, if concerned personnel/office use their respective official email addresses.
Secretary Briones noted that the department is providing assistance. It is also finding ways to help the affected teachers and personnel, as well as our learners.
“We are also committed to expedite the process of benefits for our staff and will facilitate smoother coordination with corresponding agencies. Isa na rito ang patuloy na pagpapaabot natin ng suporta and relief operations sa ating affected teachers and learners and to our typhoon-hit schools. Naglaan din tayo ng pondo for psychosocial first aid para sa mga apektadong paaralan,” said Secretary Briones.
