By Genalyn Kabiling
Government workers can enjoy a longer Holy Week break after Malacañang authorized the suspension of work in government offices starting Wednesday noon.
Malacañang Palace. (Photo by Richard V. Viñas/ Manila Bulletin)
By authority of President Duterte, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea issued Memorandum Circular No. 60 announcing the half-day work in government offices.
“To provide government employees full opportunity to properly observe 18-19 April 2019, regular holidays, and to allow them to travel to and from the different regions in the country, work in government offices on 17 April 2019 is hereby suspended from 12:00 o’clock in the afternoon onwards,” the circular read.
Government agencies involved in the delivery of basic and health services, disaster response, and vital services however have been ordered "to continue with their operations and render the necessary services."
The Palace, meantime, left to the discretion of the employers whether or not to suspend work in private companies and offices.
Earlier, the government placed on "heightened alert" concerned agencies to ensure the safety of travelers this Holy Week and appealed for public cooperation with the security measures.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said policemen and other security personnel have been deployed in airports, bus terminals, churches, and other public areas to ensure peace and order during the Lenten break. He said the government hopes the nation will have a "solemn, peaceful, renewing break" for the Holy Week.
"As the Lenten season commences the exodus to various places, concerned government agencies have been placed on a heightened alert status to ensure the safety and security of all,” Panelo said. "Public safety continues to be our top priority,” he added.
Panelo also called on the public to cooperate with authorities in the conduct of safety checks and security checkpoints as well as follow traffic regulations.
The public should also immediately report suspicious characters and unattended materials such as packages, bags, and other objects that are out of place to proper authorities, according to Panelo.