President Rodrigo Duterte, through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, cancelled work in government offices on December 26, 2017 and January 2, 2018.
In its Memorandum Circular No. 37, Malacanang said the suspension of work in government offices, including government-owned and controlled corporations, government financial institutions, state universities and colleges, local governments units, and other agencies and instrumentalities will give employees of the government full opportunity to celebrate the holidays with their families and loved ones.
However, “agencies whose functions 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”.
The memo also left suspension of work to the sound discretion of the management and heads of other branches of government, independent commissions and bodies, and private companies.
Taking cue from the memo, the Supreme Court of the Philippines also suspended work in all courts nationwide on the same dates.
Locally, Saint Louis University President Gilbert Sales announced during the university’s Christmas Salo-Salo on December 16 that work in the offices of the university are also suspended on same dates. It is assumed, though, that work in offices where the exigency of the services rendered thereat are needed, like the SLU Hospital and the Halfway Home for Boys, will remain.
By: ARMANDO M. BOLISLIS