Special Emergency Leave Now Available for Government Workers Affected by Recent Calamities

July 25, 2025 — The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has officially announced the availability of Special Emergency Leave (SEL) for government employees impacted by recent natural disasters, including Tropical Storms Dante, Emong, Crising, and the intensified southwest monsoon rains.

Under the provisions of CSC Memorandum Circular Nos. 2, s. 2012 and 16, s. 2012, public servants who live or work in areas declared under a state of calamity may avail of up to five days of SEL within 30 days from the onset of the calamity. Notably, this leave is separate from their regular leave credits and may be used consecutively or intermittently, depending on the employee’s need.

As of today, multiple provinces, cities, and municipalities have been placed under a state of calamity due to widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and displacement caused by the recent weather disturbances.

For government offices located in areas not formally under a state of calamity, the CSC provides flexibility for agency heads. They may approve SEL requests if they can verify the extent of the disaster’s effects on personnel and set internal guidelines to ensure fair implementation.

In extraordinary cases, agency heads may also extend the SEL period beyond five days, provided employees submit valid justification and supporting documentation demonstrating continued need for recovery.

The CSC encourages affected government employees to coordinate with their Human Resource Management Offices to facilitate SEL requests and ensure smooth documentation.

This move aims to uphold the welfare and safety of public servants, enabling them to address urgent personal and family concerns during times of disaster while continuing to support public service delivery.

For further details, government workers are advised to consult their HR departments or visit the official CSC website.