Legal basis and referenced issuances
- The circular grants Rehabilitation Privileges for Non-Uniformed Personnel (NUP) in accordance with Civil Service Commission (CSC) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Joint Circular No. 01, s. 2006 dated April 27, 2006.
- The referenced CSC-DBM Joint Circular provides the governing framework for the grant of rehabilitation privileges that the PNP implements through these guidelines.
Purpose and policy orientation
- The circular provides guidelines and procedures for granting Rehabilitation Privileges to NUP.
- The circular implements a humane, employee-friendly government policy orientation.
- The circular clarifies certain issues, ensures uniform policy interpretation, and forestalls misuse of the rehabilitation privilege.
Coverage, scope, and covered personnel
- The circular applies to all Non-Uniformed Personnel (NUP) with permanent and temporary appointments in the PNP.
- NUP may avail themselves of Rehabilitation Privilege during their employment with the PNP.
- Eligibility in the circular is tied to being appointed in permanent and temporary status duly attested by the Civil Service Commission.
Key definitions for application
- Rehabilitation is defined as a process of recuperating from injuries sustained while in the performance of official duties.
- Privilege is defined as a favor granted or enjoyed by an individual.
- Non-Uniformed Personnel (NUP) are defined as PNP personnel appointed in permanent and temporary status and duly attested by the Civil Service Commission.
- Official Duty is defined as a situation where the NUP is already at work, on official business outside of his/her work station, official travel, authorized overtime, detail order, and special assignment orders.
- First aid is defined as the basic medical treatment immediately given to a person hurt in an accident.
Substantive rules on entitlement
- NUP may be entitled to Rehabilitation Privilege for a maximum period of six (6) months for wounds and/or injuries sustained while in the performance of official duties.
- The same six (6)-month privilege applies when the NUP meets an accident while engaged in activities inherent to official duties, including official business outside of the work station, official travel, authorized overtime, detail orders, and special assignment orders.
- Injuries from accidents occurring while the NUP is going to work and going home from work are not considered sustained while in the performance of official duties.
- The duration, frequency, and terms of availing the privilege must be based on the recommendation of medical authorities.
- Rehabilitation privilege may be for less than six (6) months or may be on a half time basis on an intermittent schedule, as determined by medical authorities, provided the cumulative period of availing the privilege will not exceed six (6) months.
- Illness or sickness resulting from or aggravated by working conditions or the environment cannot be a basis for availing the Rehabilitation Privilege even if compensable under the Employee Compensation Commission (ECC) system.
- Absence from work during the Rehabilitation Privilege period shall not be deducted from accumulated sick or vacation leave credits of the concerned NUP.
- While on Rehabilitation Privilege, the NUP do not earn and accumulate vacation leave and sick leave credits.
- NUP on Rehabilitation Privilege continues to receive their salaries and regular benefits including Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA), Additional Compensation (AdCom), year-end bonus, and the cash gift mandated by law.
- NUP on Rehabilitation Privilege is not entitled to benefits and privileges that are enjoyed based on actual performance of duties of positions entitled to these benefits, including Representation and Transportation Allowance and Productivity Incentive Benefits (PIB).
Reimbursement limits and accountability
- Claimants are entitled to reimbursement of first-aid expenses, preferably in government facilities.
- Reimbursement is subject to availability of funds.
- Reimbursement shall not exceed Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00).
- Reimbursement may exceed P5,000.00 only when expenditures beyond that amount are necessary, as certified by medical authorities and approved by the Chief, PNP or the authorized representative, upon recommendation of the concerned PNP Chief/Head of Office/Unit.
- The Chief of Office/Unit is held responsible and personally liable for false or fraudulent claims and irregularities in the availing of the privilege.
Required filing, endorsements, monitoring, and reports
- An application for Rehabilitation Privilege must be made through a letter supported by relevant reports, including a police report, if any, and a medical certificate stating the nature of injuries, the course of treatment involved, and the need for rest, recuperation, and rehabilitation, as the case may be.
- The application must be filed by the injured NUP or by a member of the immediate family.
- The application must be filed within one (1) week from the time of occurrence of the accident, except when a longer period is warranted.
- The concerned Chief of Office/Unit must endorse the application immediately to DPRM for issuance of appropriate orders.
- The immediate endorsement must be accompanied by:
- Certification from the Chief of Office/Unit that the injury was sustained while in the performance of official duties;
- A Medical Certificate and recommendation from the Health Service on the necessity and the duration of rehabilitation; and
- Certification from the attending physician when the concerned NUP has been admitted in a private hospital, particularly on the duration of rehabilitation, validated by the Health Service.
- The concerned Chief of Office, through the Administrative/Personnel Officer in coordination with the Health Service, must monitor the NUP’s medical status on a monthly basis during rehabilitation.
- The concerned Chief of Office must submit a concluding report to DPRM after rehabilitation.
Effectivity and adoption
- The circular is effective upon approval.
- The circular is adopted on 06 Feb. 2010 by (SGD.) JESUS A VERZOSA, CEO VI, Police Director General and Chief, PNP.