Palace suspends gov’t work on Jan. 2

FILE: Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea delivers his speech during the Fukuda Doctrine Commemoration at the Manila Hotel on October 1, 2018. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — Malacañang on Monday suspended government work on Jan. 2, 2019 to give public servants “full opportunity” to enjoy New Year’s Day.

This was contained in Memorandum Circular No.

54 signed on December 17 by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, by authority of the President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Further to Proclamation No. 555 (s. 2018) issued by the President declaring 01 January 2019 (New Year’s Day) as a regular holiday, and in order to give the employees of the government full opportunity to celebrate such holiday with their families and loved ones, work in government offices, throughout the country, including government-owned or –controlled corporation, government financial institutions, state universities and colleges, local government units, and other agencies and instrumentalities, is hereby suspended on 02 January 2019,” the memorandum read.

Medialdea, however, said government agencies whose function involved 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 suspension of work on the same date in their branches of government and in independent commission or bodies, as well as in private companies and office, is left to the sound discretion of their respective heads/management,” he added.