At A Glance
- A bill that aims to provide a five-day calamity leave with pay for workers in both the public and private sectors affected by natural calamities or disasters has been filed in the House of Representatives.
(Ali Vicoy, MANILA BULLETIN)
A bill that aims to provide a five-day calamity leave with pay for workers in both the public and private sectors affected by natural calamities or disasters has been filed in the House of Representatives.
Agusan del Norte 2nd district Rep. Dale Corvera has penned House Bill (HB) No.10182 or the proposed Calamity Leave Law, which intends to minimize the impact of disasters on the income and well-being of employees.
“Filipinos, especially [those] whose main source of income are wages, are very prone to succumb to the devastating and debilitating effects of natural calamities or disasters,” Corvera said in the bill’s explanatory note.
The lawmaker underscored that the proposed paid leave can help individuals and families whose homes were damaged, flooded, or destroyed by typhoons, earthquakes, storm surges, or floods to quickly cope up and recover.
To qualify for the benefit, the employee must have rendered at least six months of service.
The calamity leave can be applied to five straight working days or on a staggered basis. This shall not be deducted from the employee's leave credits.
The leave shall be available upon the declaration of a state of calamity by the President or by the Local Sanggunian, as stated in Republic Act (RA) No. 10121 or Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act.
Any qualified employee may avail of the leave on the grounds of being stranded in affected areas where there are are no safe means for travel to and from work; disease, illness or injury incurred due to the calamity or disaster; caring for immediate family members affected by the disaster, and the urgent need to repair and clean up the damaged dwelling place.
Government employees whose functions the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to natural disasters and calamities, and or the performance of other vital services, and who have reported for work during the existence of the state of calamity, shall be able to avail of the leave starting from the lifting of the state of calamity and until 10 days thereafter.
In instances where work has been suspended or canceled, the employee may not be required to apply for the leave. Prior applications for calamity leave during such occasions shall automatically be revoked.
Unused calamity leaves shall not be cumulative and may not be converted into cash.