WITH the recent onslaught of heavy rains, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) urged government agencies to make it sure that employees are highly protected from risks due to disasters and emergencies.

CSC chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala said every state office should adopt safety and health standards in the workplace by installing among others adequate fire, emergency or danger signs within the building premises,

Government offices should at least set up a risk reduction management system and a crisis management plan or maybe a contingency program in cases of emergencies.

As for the employees and staff, Dela Rosa-Bala said there should have the needed trainings and drills of disaster risk on their part while emergency supplies such as fire extinguishers and medical first aid kits must always at hand.

Most importantly, each government agency should always have a first aider trained and certified or accredited by the Philippine National Red Cross or by any authorized organization.

“Hazards at work, especially those that may result from natural calamities such as volcanic activities and typhoons, may be inevitable but there are things we can do to prevent or at least minimize the negative impacts on people and property,” the CSC chief said.

She however said that adequate preparation would always help ensure the continuous delivery of services to the public amid any disruptive event.

At the same time, government agencies according to Dela Rosa-Bala, can also formulate their respective Public Service Continuity Plan (PSCP) – an all-hazard plan that aims to ensure continuous delivery of services to the public amid any disruption.

PSCP works by highlighting internal capacities, recovery requirements, and strategies to minimize damage and loss to essential processes, ensure succession of leadership, and improve continuity capabilities of all government entities.

Meanwhile, the CSC reminded government workers who may be directly affected by calamities that they can file for a Special Emergency Leave under CSC Memorandum Circular Nos. 2 and 16 issued 16 February 2012 and 17 October 2012, respectively.

The special emergency leave shall be for a maximum of five working days in a year, which may be applied on a continuous or staggered basis and will not be deducted from the employee’s earned leave credits.

Said leave may be availed of within 30 days from the actual occurrence of the natural calamity/disaster.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Joel dela Torre