Special leave granted to Carina, Habagat hit QC gov't employees

The local government of Quezon City will grant a special emergency leave (SEL) to its employees who have been affected by tropical cyclone Carina and the Habagat (Southwest Monsoon).

Mayor Joy Belmonte said the SEL, which is under Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular Nos. 2 and 16, S. 2012, would be granted to employees affected by natural calamities.

It was likewise based on the state of calamity which was declared in Quezon City and other parts of Metro Manila.

The latest data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 14 people died in Luzon and Mindanao due to the Habagat and Tropical Cyclones Butchoy and Carina.

Eight people were confirmed dead including four in Zamboanga and one each in Northern Mindanao, Davao, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and Metro Manila.

The NDRRMC was trying to validate the reports on five fatalities in Calabarzon and one in Bangsamoro.

A state of calamity was also declared in Cavite; Pinamalayan and Baco in Oriental Mindoro; San Andres in Romblon; Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental; Kabacan and Pikit in Cotabato.

Also, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. said on Thursday that Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, and Batangas had also declared a states of calamity.

Assistance worth P61,338,767 has, so far, been provided to the victims according to the NDRRMC. — DVM, GMA Integrated News