Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Malacañang has ordered a half-day work in government offices on Wednesday, April 1, a day before the three-day holiday for the observation of Holy Week begins.
Palace Press Officer and Communication Undersecretary Claire Castro announced on Tuesday, March 31, that there will be no work in government starting Wednesday afternoon.
A work-from-home arrangement will also be implemented on Wednesday morning from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
"April 1, to all government employees, tomorrow 8 a.m. to 12 noon work from home; 12:01 p.m. hanggang 5 p.m. wala na pong pasok (there will be no work from 12:01 p.m. until 5.pm.)," Castro told reporters in Malacañang after her regular press briefing.
The suspension of work in government gives government employees a total of four and half days of break for the Holy Week.
According to Memorandum Circular No. 116, which was released by the Office of Executive Secretary an hour after the announcement, the suspension of work aims "to provide government employees full opportunity to properly observe Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and to allow them to travel to and from the different regions in the country."
Agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, disasters and calamities response, and other vital services shall continue with their operations under usual working arrangements and render the necessary services.
It added that the adoption of work from home and suspension of work for private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective employers.
Maundy Thursday on April 2 and Good Friday on April 3 were declared as regular holidays, while Black Saturday on April 4 was declared as special non-working day nationwide.