Republic of the PhilippinesDEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS

CENTRAL OFFICEBonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila

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February 24, 2020

DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM

CIRCULAR NO. __ 1_9 _Series of 2020 td ,)y . .Y.)-.)06)-C

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FOR I TO : UndersecretariesAssistant SecretariesService DirectorsBureau DirectorsRegional DirectorsHeads of UPMOsDistrict EngineersThis Department

For information and guidance, attached is a copy of Memorandum Circular No. 05, s. 2020from the Civil Service Commission (CSC), dated February 20, 2020 entitled: "INTERIMGUIDELINES ON THE USE OF LEAVE CREDITS FOR ABSENCES DUE TOSELF-QUARANTINE AND/OR TREATMENT RELATIVE TO THE CORONA VIRUSDISEASE-2019 {COVID-19)."

A copy of said Memorandum Circular may also be downloaded from the DPWH website:http://dpwhweb. If an office cannot access the DPWH website, a hard copy may beobtained from the Records Management Division, HRAS, upon request.

For dissemination to all concerned.

Encl: Memorandum Circular No. OS, s. 2020 dated February 20, 2020

cc: Office of the Secretary

10.1.4 KJBFjVGVjRMB

OWL 5fJMCf COMMISSIONRepublic of the Philippines

MC No. 0 5 ,s. 2020

E ORANDUM CIRCULAR

TO

SUBJECT

ALL HEADS OF CONSTITUTIONAL BODIES;DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS A D AGENCIES OF THENATIO AL GOVER E T; LOC L GOVERN ENTU ITS; GOVER ENT-0 EO OR CO TROLLEDCORPORATIONS WITH ORIGINAL CHARTERS; ANDSTATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES

Interim Guidelines on the Use of Leave Credits forAbsences Due to Self-Quarantine andJor TreatmentRelative to the Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19)

Pursuant to CSC Resolution No. 2000362 promulgated on February 20,2020, the Commission adopted the following Interim Guidelines on the Use ofLeave Credits for Absences Due to Self-Quarantine and/or Treatment relative tothe Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) to avert the threat in all workplaces inthe public sector and to ensure that government officials and employees are giventhe chance to undergo preventive or remedial health measures to ensure that theyare in good health at all times.

1.0 Purpose

These guidelines provides for the procedure of availment of leaveprivileges for absences incurred in relation to self-quarantine and/or treatment ofpublic sector officials and employees relative to the COVID-19 which has beendeclared by the World Health Organization as Public Health Emergency ofInternational Concern (PHEIC).

Moreover, said guidelines seek to ensure that precautionary measures areemployed in government agencies to avoid the spread of the said virus in thepublic sector workplace.

2.0 Scope and Coverage

These guidelines apply to all public sector officials and employeesregardless of status of appointment (permanent, temporary, provisional,

Bawat Kawani, Lingkod Bayani9 CSCBUilding,IBP Road, Batasan Hills, 1126 Quezon City iii (02)931·7935/(02)931-7939/(02) 931-8092 ~ cscphil@Csc.gov.ph • www.csc.gov.ph

substitute. coterminous, casual, contractual or fixed term) including electiveofficials.

3.0 Guidelines

3.1 It is the responsibility of each government official/employee or anyindividual serving the public sector to ensure that he/she employs thenecessary measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 infection inthe public sector workplace.

One who feels sick with the COVID-19-like symptoms1 or has beenexposed to persons infected with COVID-19 must immediately informhis/her supervisor; voluntarily seek immediate medical attention and/orgo on self-quarantine, as deemed necessary upon the advice andcertification of a licensed government/private physician. This is in orderto avert the possible spread of the infection in the workplace.

3.2 All officials and employees in the public sector who have history oftravel from China and its Special Administrative Regions (Macau andHongkong) including other countries as declared/identified bycompetent Philippine authority prior to and after the promulgation ofthese guidelines shall ensure that they shall have submittedthemselves to "self-quarantine" in their homes or any appropriate healthfacility, as applicable for fourteen (14) calendar days upon arrival in thePhilippines. They shall not report back to work unless the said self-Quarantine period has elapsed and/or they have been treated, andcleared as being fit to go back to work by the proper health authorities.

3.3 Absence from work due to self-quarantine period and/or treatment ofthe COVID-19, as applicable, shall be treated, as follows:

Categories

Nature ofAbsence from

Work;ApplicableLeave ofAbsence-..,-------+-:-:---

1. Officials and Absence fromemployees who have work during thehistory of travel fourteen (14)(official/personal) from calendar daysChina and its Special i prescribed periodAdministrative : of observation,Regions (Macau and I including those

~t~~~~:~)!~~~~~~;~~::~~_With_

Procedure Upon Returnto Work

For those who have notexhibited symptoms ofCOVID-19:

A Medical Certificate to besubmitted to the agency'sHR unit issued by anygovernment/ privatephysi~l~r-Jtha! one has

. Signs and symptoms: (fever. roughing, shortness of breath Of difficulty breathing. other early symptoms to watch for arechills. body aches. sore throat. headache. diarrhea. nausealvomiting. and runny nose).

3.4 In the event of circumtances above mentioned wherein the employeehas exhausted his/her sick leave credits, Section 56 of the OmnibusRules on Leave shall apply allowing the use of vacation leave credits inlieu of sick leave credits. In case vacation leave credits have been

declaredlidentified bycompetent Philippineauthority prior to andafter the promulgationof these guidelineswho are directed to goon self-quarantineand/or later on testedpositive of COVID-19.

2. Frontline serviceproviders such as butnot limited to PubiicHealth Workers(PHWs), immigrationofficers, consularofficers and othergovernment officialsand employees whoare directed to go onself-quarantine and/orlater tested positive ofCOVID-19 while in theperformance of their

L official functions.3. Officials and

employees who takecare of their familymembers who havecontracted theCOVID-19.

COVID-19 duringthe said period,shall not bededucted fromtheir earned leavecredits.

After theaforecited 14-dayperiod haselapsed theofficial/employeediagnosed withthe COVID-19,their absencesshall be chargedfrom their earnedsick leave credits.

Absence fromwork during thefourteen (14)calendar daysprescribed periodof observationand treatmentshall be chargedagainst theirearned sick leavecredits.

voluntarily self-quarantined Ihimself/herself for 14 daysupon arrival from thecountry and has exhibited Ino symptoms of COVID-19 Iand is cleared to reportback to work.

For those who Qot sick butwere not infected by theCOVID-19:

A Medical Certificate to besubmitted to the agency'sHR unit issued by anygovernment!private physician that onehas been treated of his/hersickness and is cleared asbeing fit to report back towork.

For those who wereinfected by the COVID-19:

A Medical Certificate to besubmitted to the agency'sHR unit issued by thegovernment health facilityresponsible for thetreatment of the said

. COVID-19 indicating thatlone has been treated and

is cleared as being fit toreport back to work.

Said health facilities,called Referral Centers forEmerging and Re-

i Emerging Infectious i

. Disease may be referred Ii to in the DOH website.....'.. Ii www.doh.qov.ph .. .---J

exhausted, the employee may apply for sick leave of absence withoutpay.

3.5 Office heads shall also ensure that the efficiency and productivitystandards of work units are met in such cases where periods ofabsence of concerned officials and staff may bring about setbacks inthe delivery of public service.

4.0 Responsibilities of the Agency head

4.1 The agency head shall ensure that the aforecited guidelines areenforced in one's agency as a precautionary measure to avert thepossible threat of the COVID-19 in the public sector workplace.

5.0 Effectivity

These guidelines shall take effect immediately and shall be applicable forthe duration of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)until said medical condition has been lifted by the proper health authorities.

However, government employees, officials, and other public servantscovered by these Guidelines whose period of self-quarantine after recent travel(official/personal) was deducted against their leave credits prior to the issuance ofthese Guidelines can have the said leave credits restored through their respectiveagencies' Human Resource/Personnel Office/s/Units.

All

20 FEB 2020

/rlRPSCWSSCVRBEfJL TISGoI,!?",If" Interim Guldelin •• on the Use of Leave Credits for Absences Duct to SeIf.Quarantincandlo< Trealmen' Relative to the Corona Virus D,suse·2019 (COYlD-131

-------------------~--_. __ ._---_. -,-- --------------,

OVll SERVJa COMMISSIORepublic of the Philippines

Interim Guidelines on the Use of NumberLeave Credits for Absences Due toSelf-Quarantine and/or TreatmentRelative to the Corona Virus Promulgated:Disease-2019 (COVID-19)x-----------------------------------------------x

RESOLUTION

2000362

2 0 FEe 2020

L

WHEREAS, Section 3, Article IX-B of the 1987 Philippine Constitutionmandates the Civil Service Commission, as the central personnel agency of theGovernment, to "establish a career service and adopt measures to promotemorale, efficiency, integrity, responsiveness, progressiveness, and courtesy in thecivil service. It shall strengthen the merit and rewards system, integrate all humanresources development programs for all levels and ranks, and institutionalize amanagement climate conducive to public accountability. x x x"

WHEREAS, Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitutionlikewise mandates that "The State shall protect and promote the right tohealth of the people and instill health consciousness among them.";

WHEREAS, Section 1, Chapter I, Title I (A), Book V of Executive Order No.292 (Administrative Code of 1987) provides that the Civil Service Commissionshall adopt measures to promote morale, efficiency, integrity, reponsiveness, andcourtesy in the civil service:

WHEREAS, Section 12 (2), Chapter 3, Title I (A), Book V of ExecutiveOrder No. 292 (Administrative Code of 1987) provides that the Civil ServiceCommission shall prescribe, amend and enforce rules and regulations for carryinginto effect the provisions of the Civil Service Law and other pertinent laws;

WHEREAS, Section 60 (Leave of Absence), Chapter 9, Title I (A), Book Vof Executive Order No. 292 (Administrative Code of 1987) states that "Officersand employees in the Civil Service shall be entitled to leave of absence, with orwithout pay, as may be provided by law and the rules and regulations of theCommission in the interest afthe service";

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization has declared the Corona VirusDisease-2019 (COVID-19) as Public Health Emergency of International Concern(PHEIC), that would require the adoption of measures to avert the threat in allworkplaces in the public sector;

Bawat Kawani, Lingkod Bayani~ csc Building,lBP Road, Batasan Hills,1126Quezon City V (021931-7935/(02\931-7939/(02) 931-8092 .t:ii cscphll sc.gov.ph • www.csc.gov.ph

1.0 Purpose

2.0 Scope and Coverage

WHEREAS, government employees must be given a chance to undergopreventive or remedial health measures to ensure that they are in good health atall times;

.p. 2

These guidelines apply to all public sector officials and employeesregardless of status of appointment (permanent, temporary, provisional,substitute, coterminous, casual, contractual or fixed term) including electiveofficials.

Moreover, said guidelines seek to ensure that precautionary measures areemployed in government agencies to avoid the spread of the said virus in thepublic sector workplace.

These guidelines provides for the procedure of availment of leaveprivileges for absences incurred in relation to self-quarantine and/or treatment ofpublic sector officials and employees relative to the COVID-19 which has beendeclared by the World Health Organization as Public Health Emergency ofInternational Concern (PHEIC).

WHEREFORE, the Commission RESOLVES to ADOPT the followingInterim Guidelines on the Use of Leave Credits for Absences Due to Self-Quarantine and/or Treatment relative to the Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19):

WHEREAS, a number of agencies have posed queries and soughtclarifications from the Commission on the guidelines for the use of leave creditsdue to absences incurred by a public sector employee for the required self-quarantine period after one's travel from China and its Special AdministrativeRegions (SARs);

WHEREAS, the Commission needs to promulgate interim guidelines on theuse of leave credits due to absences incurred by a public sector employee who issuspected and/or confirmed to have contracted the COVID-19, including theprocedures to ensure that his/her co-workers' safety from infection upon return towork;

Interim Guidelines on the Use of Leave Credits for AbsencesDue to Self-Quarantine andfor Treatment Relative to theCorona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-i9)x-----------------·-,-x

3.0 Guidelines

3.1 It is the responsibility of each government official/employee or anyindividual serving the public sector to ensure that he/she employs thenecessary measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 infection inthe public sector workplace.

c

One who feels sick with the COVID-19-tike symptoms1 or has beenexposed to persons infected with COVID-19 must immediately informhis/her supervisor; voluntarily seek immediate medical attention andlorgo on self-quarantine, as deemed necessary upon the advice andcertification of a licensed government/private physician. This is in orderto avert the possible spread of the infection in the workplace.

3.2 All officials and employees in the public sector who have history oftravel from China and its Special Administrative Regions (Macau andHongkong) including other countries as declared/identified bycompetent Philippine authority prior to and after the promulgation ofthese guidelines shall ensure that they shall have submittedthemselves to "self-quarantine" in their homes or any appropriate healthfacility, as applicable for fourteen (14) calendar days upon arrival in thePhilippines. They shall not report back to work unless the said self-quarantine period has elapsed and/or they have been treated, andcleared as being fit to go back to work by the proper health authorities.

Interim Guidetlnes on the Use of Leave Credits for AbsencesDue to Self..Quarantine and/or Treatment Relative to theCorona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19)IC-----·------------------IC

p. 3

3.3 Absence from work due to self-quarantine period andlor treatment ofthe COVlD-19, as applicable, shall be treated, as follows:

After theaforecited 14-dayperiod has

L- --L.e.lapsedthe

Categories

1. Officials andemployees who havehistory of travel(official/personal) fromChina and its SpecialAdministrativeRegions (Macau andHongkong) includingother countries asdeclared/identified bycompetent Philippineauthority prior to andafter the promulgationof these guidelineswho are directed to goon self-quarantineandlor later on testedpositive of COVID-19.

Nature ofAbsence from

Work;Applicableleave ofAbsence

Absence fromwork during thefourteen (14)cale'ndar daysprescribed periodof observation,including thosewho werediagnosed withCOVID-19 duringthe said period,shall not bededucted fromtheir earned leavecredits.

Procedure Upon Returnto Work

For those who have notexhibited symptoms ofCOVID-19:

A Medical Certificate to besubmitted to the agency'sHR unit issued by anygovernment! privatephysician that one hasvoluntarily self-quarantinedhimself/herself for 14 daysupon arrival from thecountry and has exhibitedno symptoms of COVID-19and is cleared to reportback to work.

For those who qat sick butwere not infected bv the

I COVID-19:

I Signs and symptoms: (fever. coughing. ·shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, other early symptoms to watch for arechills. body aches. sore throat. headache. diarrhea, nausea/vomiting. and runny nose).

Interim Guidelines on tINt Use of Leave Credits for AbsencesDue to Self-Quarantine and/or Treatment Relative to theCorona Virus Oisease-2019 (COVID-19))(---------.---------.---)(

2. Frontline serviceproviders such as butnot limited to PublicHealth Workers(PHWs), immigrationofficers, consularofficers and othergovernment officialsand employees whoare directed to go onself-quarantine and/orlater tested positive ofCOVID-19 while in theperformance of theirofficial functions.

3. Officials andemployees who takecare of their familymembers who havecontracted theCOVID-19.

I official/employee! diagnosed withi the COVID-19,: their absencesi shall be chargedi from their earnedsick leave credits.

Absence fromwork during the

, fourteen (14)! calendar days

prescribed periodof observationand treatmentshall be chargedagainst theirearned sick leave

I credits.!

p. <4

A Medical Certificate to besubmitted to the agency'sHR unit issued by anygovernment!private physician that one

I has been treated of his/hersickness and is cleared asbeing fit to report back towork.

For those who wereinfected bv the COVID-19:

A Medical Certificate to besubmitted to the agency'sHR unit issued by thegovernment health facilityresponsible for thetreatment of the saidCOVID-19 indicating thatone has been treated andis cleared as being fit toreport back to work.

Said health facilities,called Referral Centers for

i Emerging and Re-I Emerging Infectious

Disease may be referredto in the DOH website,www.doh. v. h.

3.4 In the event of circumtances above mentioned wherein the employeehas exhausted his/her sick leave credits, Section 56 of the OmnibusRules on Leave shall apply allowing the use of vacation leave credits inlieu of sick leave credits. In case vacation leave credits have beenexhausted, the employee may apply for sick leave of absence withoutpay.

3.5 Office heads shall also ensure that the efficiency and productivitystandards of work units are met in such cases where periods ofabsence of concerned officials and staff may bring about setbacks inthe delivery of public service.c

5.0 Effectivity

4.1 The agency head shall ensure that the aforecited guidelines areenforced in one's agency as a precautionary measure to avert thepossible threat of the COVID-19 in the public sector workplace.

Interim Guidelnes on the Use of Leave Credits for AbsencesDue to Self-Qu.rantine and/or Treatment Relative to theCorona Virus Disease-201t ICOVlO-19)x.·----------·------x·

4.0 Responsibilities of the Agency head

p.5

This Resolution shall take effect immediately and shall be applicable for theduration of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) untilsaid medical condition has been lifted by the proper health authorities.

However, government employees. officials. and other public servantscovered by these Guidelines whose period of self-quarantine atter recent travel(official/personal) was deducted against their leave credits prior to the issuance ofthese Guidelines can have the said leave credits restored through their respectiveagencies' Human Resource/Personnel Office/s/Units.

Quezon City.

ALI~LAChairperson

!

k::-::::..:","'"---~H.___ ..•- \ i

ATTY. AILEEN LouiioES A. lIZAOACommissioner

VACANTCommissioner

IH8PSa1PSSDlRBElJL TISGAIR<:5. I•••••• Guldell ••• on the U$8 of Leave CIIIdits ••••Absences 0 ••••to S_IH~u••._and/or Ttutmen! ReIa_ 10 thol C_ VIrvs Ois__ ·2019 (CO\/lO-1!l)