MANILA, July 25 -- 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.

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.

"Pero dapat i-a-apply po iyan. Mag-a-apply po siya ng special emergency leave p...