Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _______ 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A THREE (3) DAY EMERGENCY LEAVE FOR ALL WORKERS 
IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY NATURAL 
CALAMITIES OR DISASTERS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines is a country fraught with natural disasters due to its geographic 
location. Advances in technology have allowed us to anticipate oncoming weather 
disturbances but some natural disasters are beyond our expectations. Most of the time 
these phenomena, like the recent earthquake that shocked the northern part of our 
country, catch us when we are most vulnerable. As such, there is no sure way of 
dealing with the after-effects of natural disasters.  
It should be noted that with calamities come possible emergencies. As 
mentioned, oftentimes we are struck by disaster when we are unprepared to deal with 
the aftermath. Thus, this proposed measure seeks to grant employees three (3) days 
of emergency leaves so that they may be given time to recover from the repercussions 
of natural disasters. This is in compliance with the declared policy of the State to 
guarantee an individual’s right to life, health, safety, and property.  
Hence, the passage of this bill is sought. 
October 6, 2022
1:14 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _______ 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A THREE (3) DAY EMERGENCY LEAVE FOR ALL WORKERS IN THE 
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY NATURAL CALAMITIES 
OR DISASTERS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Disaster Leave Law.” 
SECTION 2. Applicability. – This Act shall apply to all government and private 
employees, officials, and workers who have rendered at least six (6) months of service 
to their present employer. 
SECTION. 3. Natural Calamities or Disasters. – For purposes of this Act, a 
natural calamity or disaster shall refer to a serious disruption of the functioning of a 
community or a society involving widespread human, material, economic, or 
environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected 
community or society to cope using its own resources. 
Natural calamities or disasters include, but are not limited to, typhoons, 
landslides, floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and other similar occurrences 
whose impacts may include loss of life, injury, disease, and other negative effects on 
human, physical, mental, and social well-being, together with damage to property, 
destruction of assets, loss of services, social and economic disruption, and 
environmental degradation. 
SECTION 4. Disaster Leave. – A three (3) day disaster leave with pay shall be 
granted to employees directly affected by a natural calamity or disaster. 
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The disaster leave can be applied for three (3) straight working days or on a 
staggered basis and shall not be deducted from the employee’s other leave credits 
granted by law or enjoyed at the time of promulgation of this Act. 
 
The disaster leave may be availed of by the affected employees within thirty 
(30) days from the actual occurrence of the natural disaster or calamity. 
 
The said leave is non-commutative and non-cumulative and may not be 
converted into its cash equivalent. 
 
SECTION 5. Eligibility. – The head of office or employer shall take full 
responsibility for the grant of disaster leave and verification of the employee’s eligibility 
to be granted thereof. The validation shall include: 
(a) Place of residence based on the latest available records of the affected 
employee; 
(b) Declaration of a state of calamity by the proper government agency; 
(c) The extent of damage caused by the calamity of the affected employee; 
(d) Medical certificate stating that the illness or disease was suffered by the 
employee or his/her immediate family member brought by the natural 
calamity or disaster; 
(e) Such other proofs as may be necessary. 
 
SECTION 6. Non-diminution of Benefits. – Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed to eliminate or in any way diminish employee benefits enjoyed at the time 
of promulgation of this Act. 
 
 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. – If any provision or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not 
affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.  
 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly.  
 
SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation.  
 
Approved,