Study Leave Grant on Official Time

August 7, 2000 DOF DEPARTMENT ORDER NO . 044-00 STUDY LEAVE GRANT ON OFFICIAL TIME In the interest of the service and pursuant to Section 68 of Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular (CSC MC) No. 14 series of 1999 dated 23 August 1999, amending CSC MC No. 41 series of 1998, qualified Department of Finance (DOF) officials and employees may be allowed to avail of study leave not exceeding six (6) months with pay to prepare for Bar or Board Examination or to complete masteral degree. I. Legal Basis Section I, Rule VIII, Book V of Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as the "Administrative Code of 1987" provides that: "Every official and employee of the government is an asset or resource to be valued, developed and utilized in the delivery of basic services to the public. Hence, the development and retention of a highly competent and professional workforce in the public service shall be the main concern of every department or agency. Every department or agency shall therefore establish a continuing program for career and personnel development for all agency personnel at all levels, and shall create an environment or work climate conducive to the development of personnel skills, talents and values for better public service." Furthermore, Section 68 of CSC MC No. 14 series of 1999, amending CSC MC No. 41 series of 1998 specifically provides that: xxx xxx xxx "officials and employees excluding those in the teaching profession who are covered by different provisions of law, may be entitled to study leave subject to the following conditions: [a] The study leave is a time off from work not exceeding six (6) months with pay for the purpose of assisting qualified officials and employees to prepare for their Bar or Board Examinations or to complete their masteral degree." xxx xxx xxx Said MC further provides that "the agency shall formulate its own internal rules on procedures for an equitable and rational availment of this leave by its own officials and employees subject to the general guidelines states herein." II. Objectives [1] To provide assistance and moral support in terms of grant of study leave on official time with pay to qualified DOF employees who need to prepare for the Bar or Board Examination, and for those who have completed the academic requirements for a Masteral Degree and need to pursue thesis writing or take comprehensive examination. [2] To encourage the pursuit of professional growth and career advancement among DOF officials and employees that will engender more efficient and professional workforce in the Department. [3] To ensure equitable and rational availment of study leave by DOF officials and employees. III. Guidelines Pursuant to Section 68 of the Amendments, the following guidelines in the selection of beneficiary of study leave are hereby prescribed: [1] The official or employee must have graduated with a Bachelor's Degree which consequently required the passing of government Bar and Board Licensure Examinations. For thesis writing or comprehensive examination, the official/employee must have completed all the academic requirements for a Masteral Degree; ATDHSC [2] The profession or field of study to be pursued must be relevant to the Department or to the official duties and responsibilities of the concerned official or employee; [3] The official/employee must have permanent status and have rendered at least two (2) years of service with DOF and at least with Very Satisfactory performance rating for the last two (2) rating periods immediately preceding the application; [4] He/She must have no pending administrative and criminal charges; [5] He/She must not have any current foreign or local scholarship grant and must have fulfilled the service obligation of any previous scholarship and training contract; [6] The study leave shall be covered by a contract between the beneficiary and the Secretary of Finance or his representative. [7] In the spirit of spreading sunshine, the study leave grant can be availed of by the official or employee only once. [8] The beneficiary shall immediately report for work after completion of thesis writing or taking his Bar or Board Examinations and shall submit to PSD upon return, the Certificate of Completion issued by the school where he/she had enrolled or proof that he/she had taken the Bar or Board Examination. [9] The beneficiary shall be required to serve the Department on the basis of the following formula for service obligation: Period Service Obligation One (1) month to three (3) months Two (2) years More than three (3) months to Three (3) years six (6) months [10] In case the official or employee fails to render in full the service obligation referred to in the contract on account of voluntary resignation, optional retirement, separation from the service through his own fault, or other causes within his control, he/she shall refund the gross salary, allowances and other benefits received while on study leave based on the following formula: (SOR - SOS) x TCR R = SOR Where: R = Refund TCR = Total Compensation Received (Gross Salary, Allowances and Benefits received while on Study Leave) SOS = Service Obligation Served SOR = Service Obligation Required [11] The beneficiary shall inform the Department in writing through the Personnel Services Division of his failure to pursue his studies or his failure to take the Bar or Board Examination for which he was granted the study leave. SECIcT IV. Implementation In addition to its present functions, the Personnel Career Development Committee (PCDC) shall be tasked with the evaluation of application for the grant of study leave. The Committee, through the Secretariat, shall submit to the Secretary of Finance a report on the implementation of the Order. V. Effectivity This Order takes effect immediately and all concerned shall be guided accordingly. (SGD.) FLORENCIA G. TARRIELA Undersecretary