Malacañang suspends work, classes starting noon of Holy Wednesday

Malacañang ordered the suspension of work in government offices and classes in public schools starting noon today, Holy Wednesday, to give ample time to prepare for the Holy Week.

Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Ana Marie Banaag announced the half-day work and halfday classes in the public sector based on Memorandum Circular No. 43.

“Work in government offices including government-owned and -controlled corporations and local government units, and classes in all public schools, state universities

and colleges, are hereby suspended on Wednesday, 28 March 2018 starting at 12 o’clock noon to enable government workers to prepare for the observance of Holy Thursday and Good Friday,” Banaag said during a Palace press briefing, reading the latest circular.

Government agencies involved in law enforcement, response action to disasters and calamities, and performance of other vital services have been directed to “make available stand-by services/arrangements to meet any contingencies.”

“Suspension of work in government and independent bodies as well as in private companies and offices is left to the sound discretion of their respective administrators,” the circular read.

The circular was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Tuesday, March 27. 1,854 MMDA personnel

on the road Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that 1,854 personnel will be in full force starting today, Holy Wednesday, and throughout the weekend to implement traffic laws and assist commuters heading to the provinces.

The MMDA said it has declared a “no day-off and no absent policy” for all traffic personnel, particularly on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, when traffic is expected to be heavy.

MMDA’s “Oplan Metro Alalay Semana Santa (Oplan MASS)” is being held in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and Metro Manila local government units.

Jose Arturo “Jojo” Garcia, MMDA OIC general manager, said the agency will deploy 1,854 personnel composed of traffic enforcers, roadside clearing group, anti-jaywalking, road safety, and towing personnel, along major thoroughfares in the metropolis.

Emergency personnel

Rescue and emergency personnel will set up posts along Ortigas Avenue and Marcos Highway and assist devotees going to the pilgrimage site in Antipolo City.

No vehicle coding

Meanwhile, the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), commonly known as numbercoding scheme, will be lifted for city and provincial buses starting today, March 28, up to Monday, April 2, to ferry passengers going to their provinces.

For private vehicles, MMDA said the number coding scheme is lifted today, Wednesday starting at 10 a.m., up to Monday, April 2. (With reports from Genalyn D. Kabiling and Jel Santos)