Palace suspends gov’t work on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2

Malacañang on Thursday suspended government work on December 26, 2017 and January 2, 2018.

This was contained in Memorandum Circular No. 37 signed on December 13 by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, by authority of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Further to Proclamation Nos. 5 (s. 2016) and 269 (s. 20170 issued by the President declaring 25 December 2017 (Christmas Day) and 01 January 2018 (New Year’s Day) as Regular Holidays, and in order to give the 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 26 December 2017 and January 2018,” the memorandum read.

“However, those agencies whose function involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services shall continue with their operations and render the necessary services,” it added.

The memorandum said “the suspension of working other branches of government and in independent commissions or bodies, as well as in private companies and offices on the said dates, is left to the discretion of their respective heads and management.” /jpv