CSC Releases Guidelines on Availment of Special Leave Benefit under the Magna Carta of Women

Weblink updated: January 3, 2015 

Women public sector employees can now avail of the special leave benefits under the Magna Carta of Women, without wondering if they are qualified to avail of it or not.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has set the guidelines for the availment of special leave benefits for qualified female government employees who have undergone surgery caused by gynecological disorders, as mandated under Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women.

CSC resolution numbered 1000432 promulgated on November 22, 2010 seeks to ensure uniform interpretation and implementation of the grant of the special leave benefits for women in the government service.

Under the guidelines, any female government employee who has rendered at least six (6) months aggregate service in any or various government agency for the last 12 months prior to surgery is entitled to the said leave benefit with pay, which may be availed for every instance of surgery, for a maximum period of two (2) months per year.  Those involved in government service without an employer-employee relationship such as Contracts of Service and Job Orders are not covered by the guidelines.

The guidelines, which has retroactive effect starting September 15, 2009, classifies surgeries into major or those that require a recuperation period of three (3) weeks to two (2) months, and minor or those requiring a maximum of two (2) weeks recuperation period. It also provides a comprehensive list of surgical operations for gynecological disorders reflecting (1) the type of surgical procedure for the gynecological disorder;  (2) the disease being addressed by the said surgical procedure;  and (3) the classification or type of procedure to be undertaken based on the patient's estimated period of recuperation. The said list of surgical operations for gynecological disorders was formulated by a Technical Working Committee composed of Obstetrician-Gynecologists, Surgeons, and Medical Doctors from the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH), the Department of Health's (DOH) Quirino Memorial Medical Center, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) with the support of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, Inc (POGS) and the Philippine College of Surgeons (PCS), and the DOH's Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital.

The procedure for availing the special leave benefit shall be made through Civil Service Form 6 (application for leave form) signed by the employee and approved by proper authorities, and accompanied by a medical certificate filled out by the proper medical authorities, including a clinical summary reflecting the gynecological disorder, histopathological report, operative technique for the surgery, duration of the surgery, period of confinement, and the estimated period of recuperation.

Government officials and employees covered by guidelines whose periods of surgery fall within September 15, 2009 (date of effectivity of RA 9710) to  November 21, 2010 (before the guidelines was promulgated by the CSC), and were deducted salary, sick or vacation leave credits can have the appropriate gross compensation paid or leave credits restored, as the case maybe.

Full copy of CSC Resolution No. 1000432 may be downloaded from the Philippine Commission on Women Website. (note: the agency changed its domain name hence this link is dead)

Working link to the CSC Resolution (as of January 3, 2015): CSC Guidelines on the Availment of Special Leave Benefits for Women Under R.A. 9710 (An Act Providing for the Magna Carta of Women)