Government work suspended at 3 p.m. today

 MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday announced that work in government offices would be suspended starting 3 p.m. later today.

In a memorandum circular, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said that the suspension of government work was meant to give government employees opportunity to properly observe Holy Week and to allow them to travel to their provinces.

“To provide government employees full opportunity to properly observe 13-14 April 2017, regular holidays, and 15 April 2017, a declared Special (Non-Working) Day, and to allow them to travel to and from the different regions in the country, work in government offices on 12 April 2017 is hereby suspended from 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon onwards,” Memorandum Circular 17 said.

Medialdea, however, clarified that work in government offices involved in the delivery of basic and health services, preparation and response to disasters and emergencies and performance of other vital public services would continue.

“It is understood, however, that agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital public services shall continue with their operations and render the necessary services,” the memorandum, signed by the executive secretary, read.