By Ellson Quismorio

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has reminded government workers affected by the eruptive activities of Taal Volcano that they may avail of the special five-day emergency leave.

In a statement, the CSC reiterated the issuance of CSC Memorandum Circular (MC) Nos. 2 and 16 on Feb. 16, 2012 and Oct. 17, 2012, respectively.

These MCs contain guidelines for the grant of the special emergency leave for state employees. The leave may be applied for five straight working days or on a staggered basis, and will not be deducted from the employee’s leave credits.

The Commission said the privilege may be used for any of the following: urgent repair and clean-up of damaged house, being stranded in affected areas, disease/illness of employees brought by natural calamity/disaster, or caring for immediate family members affected by natural calamity/disaster.

The special emergency leave may be availed of within 30 days from the first day of calamity declaration by proper government agencies/authorities.

Moreover, the CSC said the head of office shall take full responsibility for the grant of special emergency leave and verification of the employee’s eligibility to be granted such.

The verification process shall include the validation of place of residence based on latest available records of the affected employee, verification that the place of residence is covered in the declaration of calamity area by the proper government agency, and such other proofs as may be necessary.

The complete text of the MCs can be viewed on the agency website, the CSC said.

Taal ejected a huge column of smoke and ash last Sunday. The resulting ash fall covered nearby towns in Batangas and Cavite, which have since been rocked by daily earthquakes.

Residents living in the 14-kilometer radius of the volcano, considered a permanent danger zone, were ordered to evacuate. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) officials believe that a major eruption may still be forthcoming.