Half-day work, classes on Holy Wednesday

M ALACAÑANG announced a half-day work in government offices under the executive department, as well as half-day classes in state-run schools nationwide on Holy Wednesday, March 28.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, by authority of President Rodrigo Duterte, signed Memorandum Circular (MC) 43, declaring the half-day operation in public offices and schools on Wednesday, to allow government workers to prepare for the observance of Holy Thursday, March 29, and Good Friday, March 30.

"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 12 o'clock noon, to enable government workers to prepare for the observance of Holy Thursday and Good Friday," MC 43 read.

"However, those government agencies whose functions involve law enforcement, response action to disasters and calamities, and/or performance of other vital services shall make available, standby services, or arrangements to meet any contingencies," it added.

Malacañang said the work suspension in other government branches and private institutions "is left to the sound discretion of their respective administrators."

The Supreme Court earlier announced that courts employees nationwide would only work until noontime on Holy Wednesday to observe the Lenten break on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

Last year, Malacañang declared March 29 to 30 as regular holidays, and March 31 as special non-working day, in observance of Holy Week.