Vacation, for students, means, end of school days. Usually, starting April to May of each year. It is one way, wherein students can relax from their studies. not only for students but also for teachers. Teachers, too, have 2 months vacation or off from work unless they want to work on vacation time and teach especially on post graduate courses. It is an additional income for them aside from their salary.
For non-teachers, we are give 15 days vacation leave and 15 days sick leave. Out of 15 days vacations leave, 5 days of that are mandatory. It simply means that if an employee does not avail the 5 days mandatory leave, he or she will be automatic deducted 5 days mandatory leave even he or she did not use it.
In addition to that, we also have 3 days special leave. That could be birthday leave, mourn leave or anniversary leave. As far as I know, special leave are leave that are special and only 3 days in a year. It is not deducted from any of the vacation leave or sick leave.
Leave can be monetized. Every year, the government allow government employees to monetize their leave credits depending on availability of funds to that department/government agency. Monetized base on the salary in daily basis/or monthly basis.
That is why, most of employees try to refrain from availing vacation leave here in the Philippines because it can be convert into cash based on the salary of every personnel.
In my case, I have not avail my leave credits for a year. I try not to use it because it can be monetized. One time I apply 10 days of leave credit rather than going into vacation especially during December. National Government Employees receive meager amount of bonus during December compare to Local Government Unit Employees or Provincial Government Employees or Controlled Owned Corporation (GOCC).
That is why, working in the Bureau for almost 8 years and working in the Local Government Unit for almost 4 or 5 years, I never use my leave credit into vacation. I might spend vacation but that is only during holidays and it is not deducted on our leave credits.
That i why, my sister said, I need vacation or spend time to unwind with others. See the world around you and try to enjoy life.
I will think about it because aside for expensive, it is deduct to our leave credits.