Malacanang suspends work

for executive Dec 26, Jan 2

TAGBILARAN CITY, December 15, 2017 (PIA)--While suspension of work in the private sector and other offices not under the executive branch would still be under the sound discretion of their respective heads and managements, Malacanang has declared suspension of work for December 26, 2017 and January 2 of 2018.

This stretches the celebration of December 25, Christmas Day in 2017 and the New Year of 2018 a day more, at least in the Philippines for the workers under the executive branch.

Through Memorandum Circular 37, President Duterte has enhanced Proclamation No 50 which declared regular holidays and special non working days in 2017 and Proclamation 269 which formally declared regular and special non working days in the Philippines for 2018, with a proclamation on work suspension.

The MC, issued December 13 in Manila, by the authority of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte could be the last of such work suspensions in 2017.

Malacanang said in order to give employees of the government full opportunity to celebrate the holidays with their families and loved ones, work in government offices including government owned and controlled corporations, government financial institutions, state universities and colleges, local government units and other agencies and instrumentalities is hereby suspended on December 26, 2017 and January 2, 2018.

For those from other branches of government and independent commissions or bodies, private companies and offices, suspension of work is left to the sound discretion of their respective heads and management, according to the MC signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdia by authority of the President.

Even then, for agencies under the executive whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, emergency preparedness and response to calamities and disasters and performance of other vital services, their operations and services shall continue as they render the needed services, according to the MC. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)