2 long weekends for gov’t workers

MANILA – Malacañang suspended government work on Dec. 26 this year and Jan. 2 next year.

Memorandum Circular No. 37 allows state employees two consecutive four-day weekends to spend with their families, with Christmas (Dec. 25) and New Year’s ( Jan. 1) days falling on Mondays.

The memo was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea with authority from President Rodrigo Duterte on Dec. 13.

It covers all government offices, including government- owned a nd - c ontrolled corporations, government financial institutions, state universities and colleges, local government units, and other agencies and instrumentalities.

But agencies involved in the delivery of basic services, preparedness/ response to disasters and calamities, and/ or the performance of other vital services shall continue with their operations, the order clarified.

Malacañang l eaves the suspension of work in private companies and offices outside of the executive branch is left to the discretion of their heads/ management.

I n l i ght of t he Palace memo, the Supreme Court also suspended work in all courts on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.

“The Chief Justice ( Maria Lourdes Sereno) authorized the suspension of work in all courts nationwide” during these dates, the high court’s Public Information Office announced on Twitter.

The work suspension covers the Court of Appeals, the Court of Tax Appeals and the Sandiganbayan. (